BEST NURSING PRACTICES FOR REDUCING HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS IN ACUTE CARE SETTINGS: A REVIEW

Author Name: 1. Dr. Piyush D Wagh, 2. Omkar Murudkar

Volume/Issue: 06/11

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/06.2026-31289257/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. HOD and Associate Professor, Godavari College of Nursing , Godavari College of Nursing, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
2. Tutor, Godavari College of Nursing , Godavari College of Nursing, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain one of the most significant threats to patient safety worldwide despite substantial advances in infection prevention and control. HAIs increase morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, healthcare costs, and antimicrobial resistance, particularly in acute care settings where patients frequently undergo invasive procedures and require complex medical interventions. Nurses constitute the largest proportion of healthcare professionals and play a pivotal role in preventing HAIs through evidence-based infection prevention practices. This review aims to examine current evidence regarding best nursing practices for reducing healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals and to identify strategies that improve patient safety and quality of care. A narrative review of recent literature published between 2020 and 2025 was undertaken using electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. International guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were also reviewed. The evidence demonstrates that consistent hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, aseptic technique, environmental cleaning, device-care bundles, antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance, nurse education, and multidisciplinary collaboration significantly reduce the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections. Emerging technologies such as electronic surveillance systems, artificial intelligence, and digital monitoring tools further strengthen infection prevention efforts by improving compliance and early detection. However, challenges including staff shortages, inadequate resources, inconsistent guideline adherence, and increasing antimicrobial resistance continue to hinder successful implementation. Strengthening nursing competencies, promoting a culture of patient safety, implementing standardized care bundles, and supporting continuous professional education are essential for sustaining infection prevention programs. Evidence-based nursing practice remains the cornerstone of reducing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient outcomes in acute care settings.

Key words: Healthcare-associated infections, infection prevention, nursing practice, acute care hospitals, patient safety, hand hygiene, infection control, care bundles.