[감염전문간호사] 서울아산병원 감염관리팀 홍민지 간호사 인터뷰

Summary

The transcript highlights the experiences of a dedicated infection control nurse with over 19 years of experience. They discuss the importance of managing infections not only for patients but also for staff and hospital environments. The nurse emphasizes the challenges in ensuring proper infection control practices, monitoring staff behavior, and reacting to emerging health threats like COVID-19. The role of an infection control nurse requires constant learning, adaptability, and problem-solving, while balancing patient care and safety. Despite challenges, the nurse finds great satisfaction in contributing to a safer healthcare environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is an infection control nurse with 19 years of experience working at Seoul Asan Hospital, emphasizing the importance of infection control in healthcare.
• 😀 The speaker's motivation to specialize in infection control came from witnessing the impact of uncontrolled infections, including deaths and antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
• 😀 Infection control nurses not only care for patients but also manage infections among hospital staff, the environment, and patients.
• 😀 A key aspect of the job is staying updated on global infection control guidelines, from sources like the WHO and CDC, to apply the latest information at the hospital.
• 😀 The infection control nurse's role involves identifying potential infection risks and implementing policies to reduce them, evaluating the effectiveness of these measures regularly.
• 😀 Daily tasks include tracking infection cases in the hospital, such as preventing the spread of infectious diseases through preventative measures and patient management.
• 😀 Healthcare worker compliance with hygiene practices like hand washing and mask-wearing is crucial, and the nurse monitors adherence to these protocols.
• 😀 The infection control nurse must investigate cases of potential infections, including tracing patient contacts to prevent further transmission.
• 😀 One notable case involved managing a soldier with an infectious disease, which required coordination with public health authorities to prevent further outbreaks.
• 😀 The speaker finds the work rewarding, especially when preventing the spread of diseases, though it is more demanding during global health crises like COVID-19.
• 😀 Challenges include convincing staff and hospital management to adhere to infection control practices, as well as managing the emotional and physical toll of handling infectious disease outbreaks.

Q & A

What was the main motivation for the speaker to pursue a career as an infection control nurse?

The speaker's motivation stemmed from the realization that even though they were providing excellent patient care, infections were a significant cause of patient mortality. This made the speaker decide to specialize in infection control to better manage and prevent infections in both patients and healthcare staff.

What does the role of an infection control nurse entail according to the speaker?

An infection control nurse is responsible for managing and controlling infections not just in patients, but also among healthcare staff and in the hospital environment. This includes staying updated on infection control practices, evaluating and improving current policies, and ensuring that infection control measures are followed in practice.

How does the speaker monitor the effectiveness of infection control policies in their hospital?

The speaker monitors the effectiveness of infection control policies by evaluating whether the policies are being implemented correctly across the hospital and assessing whether they successfully reduce infection rates. This includes reviewing updates from global health organizations and ensuring that the policies are in line with current guidelines.

What is one of the biggest challenges the infection control nurse faces?

One of the biggest challenges is convincing healthcare staff to follow infection control procedures, such as proper hand hygiene and the correct use of protective equipment. The nurse must not only educate but also persuade colleagues to adhere to these practices to prevent infections.

How does the speaker handle potential outbreaks of infectious diseases in the hospital?

The speaker monitors daily reports on infection cases, conducts investigations into potential sources of outbreaks, and works with public health authorities to implement preventive measures. They also provide guidance to healthcare staff on how to reduce the risk of infection transmission.

Can you provide an example of a time the infection control nurse's intervention was critical?

One example was when a soldier with a highly contagious infectious disease visited the emergency room. The speaker quickly identified the risk of transmission within the military base where the soldier had been, and coordinated with public health authorities to prevent further spread of the disease.

What are the responsibilities of the infection control nurse when it comes to hospital staff?

The infection control nurse is responsible for ensuring that hospital staff follow strict infection prevention protocols, including hand hygiene, correct use of masks, and appropriate handling of medical equipment. The nurse also monitors staff adherence to these practices and provides ongoing education.

What does the speaker find most rewarding about being an infection control nurse?

The speaker finds it rewarding to see the hospital become safer and more effective in preventing infections, which ultimately protects patients, healthcare workers, and the community. The ability to stop infectious diseases from spreading is a key source of fulfillment.

What challenges did the speaker face during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how did they overcome them?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the speaker faced increased workload and pressure as infection control became even more critical. The heightened societal concerns about infection made the job more demanding, but the speaker continued to focus on ensuring the safety of patients and staff, while adjusting practices to the evolving situation.

How does the speaker view their role in broader societal issues, such as national disasters or pandemics?

The speaker sees themselves as part of a larger medical effort, always ready to step in during national crises like pandemics or disasters. They believe healthcare professionals should take the lead in safeguarding public health and maintaining safety during these challenging times.