In reflecting on a time in which a coworker did not follow IPAC practices I can recall the patient being on contact precaution due to and infection. The coworker failed to use the appropriate PPE and complete hand hygiene after completing care. This lack of practice caused significant negative outcomes to clients, the unit and the organization. The spread to microorganisms caused and outbreak on the unit, increasing workload to colleagues and blocking patient flow/ allocation to the unit. The lack of or improper IPAC has significant affects/ consequences, the recent pandemic can attest to this statement.

In a group home setting, a coworker once neglected to change gloves and sanitize hands after assisting a resident with a gastrointestinal illness before moving on to help another resident with routine tasks. This lapse in IPAC practices resulted in the spread of infection among several residents, leading to an outbreak of gastrointestinal issues within the home. The outbreak increased the workload on staff, required additional cleaning measures, and disrupted the daily routine of all residents. This incident underscored the critical importance of adhering to proper infection control measures to prevent the spread of illness in group home environments.

Although I don’t have personal experiences, I can share a general example highlighting potential risks when IPAC protocols are not followed. A nurse was attending to a patient in isolation due to COVID-19 and was wearing complete personal protective equipment as required by IPAC protocols. After finishing the care of the COVID-positive patient, the nurse heard a call bell from another room; a patient at risk of falling had been trying to get out of bed without assistance. In a hurry to prevent the fall, the nurse rushed into the second patient’s room but forgot to remove the PPE worn in the COVID-19 isolation room. The second patient, who was not placed in isolation, may have been vulnerable to an infection linked to healthcare settings, such as COVID-19. If they get infected, they may have to stay in the hospital for a more extended period, require more extensive care, or potentially suffer worse consequences, mainly if they are in danger of falling. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) from a COVID-19 isolation room and entering a non-isolation room could unintentionally transfer the virus to surfaces, the environment, or even other staff members, resulting in an outbreak on the unit.