| [ Summary ] |
Patients undergoing dialysis die more frequently of infectious diseases than other illnesses including cardiac failure. These patients are at a high risk of infection, and prevention of infection in a dialysis setting is paramount. Transmission route-based precautions are effective to prevent/manage known infectious diseases; however, this strategy is not useful in patients in whom an accurate diagnosis of an infectious disease has not been established. Standard precaution, when applied in all situations in the healthcare setting, is effective in preventing transmission of pathogens. This approach is the bottom-line strategy used to prevent infections. Hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, precautions against blood-borne pathogens, and environmental control remain essential components of this preventative strategy. Standard practices based on these principles, when implemented by each healthcare worker can effectively prevent transmission of various types of infection. |