The Definition of Infectious

Paper Summary:

The paper attempts to define the basic attributes of the term "infectious" so that nurses can appropriately implement precautions that will protect both themselves and their patients from the transmission of microorganisms. The paper considers the attributes identified by the literature and concludes that "infectious" is defined as that which is easily spread.

Outline:
Introduction
Purpose
Literature Review
Defining Attributes
Example Cases
Antecedents and Consequences
Empirical Referents
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"There has been a long-standing relationship between nursing and infection control. In 1850, Florence Nightingale discerned a relationship between the deplorable hygienic conditions of the soldiers she was serving and outbreaks of cholera and dysentery (Kaminsky, 2004). When she returned from England, she championed the cause for improved cleanliness of food, water, and living conditions in an effort to decrease the mortality rates from disease (Kaminsky). The theory that disease was spread by germs had not yet been formally adopted, yet she reduced the mortality rates in her first barracks hospital by the implementation of basic infection control measures such as handwashing (Kaminsky). She gave rudimentary definition to the concept "infectious". Clean up the hospitals, wash hands, and there will be fewer deaths from disease."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abrutyn, E., & Goldman, D. (1998). Saunders Infection Control Reference Service. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company.
• Answers Corporation. (2008). Infectious. Retrieved June 6, 2008, from Answers.Com: http://www.answers.com/topic/infectious?=health
• Baldwin, M. (2008). Concept Analysis as a Method of Inquiry. Nurse Researcher , 15 (2), 49-57.
• Center for Cancer Education. (2002). Infectious. Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Online Medical Dictionary: http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk.cgi-bin/omd?infectious
• Centers for Disease Control. (1997). Case Definitions for Infectious Conditions Under Public Health Conditions. MMWR: Recommendations and Reports , 42 (RR10), 1-55.

More papers on The Definition of Infectious:

• Term Paper # 149712 : "Nursing Hand Hygiene"
• Descriptive Essay # 106454 : "Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)"
• Research Paper # 70411 : "Pathophysiology"

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