Journal of Patient Care

Promoting Patient Engagement in Hygiene Care: Clinical Nurses' Strategies and Experiences

Agezegn Tadesse^* Department of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
^*Correspondence: Agezegn Tadesse, Department of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Email:

Received: 01-May-2023, Manuscript No. JPC-23-21696; Editor assigned: 04-May-2023, Pre QC No. JPC-23-21696 (PQ); Reviewed: 18-May-2023, QC No. JPC-23-21696; Revised: 25-May-2023, Manuscript No. JPC-23-21696 (R); Published: 01-Jun-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2573-4598.23.9.236

Description

The perceptions of clinical nurses regarding the meaning of hygiene care are essential in shaping their approach to patient care. Clinical nurses recognize that hygiene care goes beyond physical cleanliness; it encompasses preserving patient dignity and promoting respect. Nurses perceive hygiene care as an opportunity to maintain and enhance the patient's self-esteem and sense of worth. They understand that patients may feel vulnerable and dependent during these care activities and, therefore, strive to create an atmosphere of privacy, confidentiality, and sensitivity. By acknowledging the patient's autonomy and involving them in decision-making, nurses aim to empower patients and preserve their dignity throughout the hygiene care process. Nurses perceive hygiene care as a means to encourage self-care and foster independence among patients. They understand that enabling patients to participate actively in their own hygiene care contributes to their overall well-being. Clinical nurses empower patients by providing education, guidance, and support to develop self-care skills. By involving patients in their hygiene routines, nurses foster a sense of autonomy, which can have positive psychological and emotional effects.

Clinical nurses view hygiene care as a critical component of infection prevention and control. They understand the importance of implementing evidence-based practices to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections. Nurses perceive hygiene care as a means to minimize the transmission of pathogens, ensuring a safe environment for both patients and healthcare providers. They adhere to strict hand hygiene protocols, utilize personal protective equipment, and follow proper cleaning and disinfection techniques. Through their vigilance in maintaining hygiene standards, nurses contribute to reducing the incidence of infections and promoting patient safety. Nurses recognize that hygiene care has a direct impact on patient comfort and overall well-being. They perceive it as an opportunity to alleviate discomfort, promote relaxation, and enhance the patient's sense of physical and emotional comfort.

Nurses approach hygiene care with empathy and compassion, ensuring that patients feel cared for and supported. They consider individual preferences, cultural norms, and personal routines when providing hygiene care, tailoring it to the unique needs of each patient. Clinical nurses perceive hygiene care as a means to create a therapeutic environment for patients. They understand that a clean, well-maintained, and comfortable environment contributes to the patient's sense of safety and promotes healing. Nurses ensure that the physical environment is conducive to hygiene care, with adequate lighting, appropriate temperature, and privacy. They establish trusting and therapeutic relationships with patients, facilitating open communication and addressing any concerns or fears. By providing a supportive and compassionate atmosphere, nurses aim to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and foster a sense of trust between the patient and the healthcare team. While interactive hygiene care is crucial for promoting patient well-being and preventing complications, it presents several challenges for healthcare professionals.

Clinical nurses often face time constraints and a high workload, making it challenging to allocate sufficient time for interactive hygiene care. They must balance multiple responsibilities, including medication administration, assessments, documentation, and attending to emergencies. As a result, hygiene care may sometimes be rushed or overlooked. To address this challenge, nurses can prioritize hygiene care by recognizing its importance in patient comfort, infection prevention, and overall well-being. Effective time management techniques, such as delegation of non-nursing tasks and collaboration with other healthcare team members, can help nurses allocate adequate time for interactive hygiene care. Incorporating hygiene care into a structured schedule or creating care plans that emphasize the importance of these activities can also help ensure they receive the necessary attention. Language barriers and diverse patient populations can hinder effective communication during interactive hygiene care. Clinical nurses may encounter patients who do not speak the same language or have limited English proficiency, making it challenging to convey instructions or understand patient preferences. To overcome this challenge, nurses can utilize interpreter services or language translation tools to facilitate communication with patients. Patients may have cultural or personal preferences that differ from standard hygiene care practices.

Clinical nurses must navigate these preferences while ensuring that hygiene care meets evidence-based standards and infection control protocols. It is essential for nurses to approach these situations with cultural sensitivity, respect, and openmindedness. They should actively listen to patients, acknowledge their cultural beliefs and preferences, and seek a collaborative approach to find mutually acceptable solutions. Engaging in culturally competent care, nurses can adapt hygiene care practices while ensuring patient safety and infection control measures. Providing education and rationale for certain hygiene practices can also help patients understand the importance of adhering to specific protocols. Some patients may be passive recipients of hygiene care, leading to reduced engagement and participation. This lack of involvement can hinder the effectiveness of interactive hygiene care. Clinical nurses can address this challenge by promoting patient engagement through education and empowerment. They can explain the purpose and benefits of each hygiene activity, involve patients in decisionmaking, and encourage them to participate actively in their own care. Regularly assessing and reassessing patients' comfort levels, preferences, and needs can further promote their active participation and ensure that hygiene care is individualized and patient-centered.

Conclusion

The perceptions of clinical nurses on the meaning of hygiene care encompass patient dignity, self-care promotion, infection prevention, patient comfort, and creating a therapeutic environment. These perceptions guide their approach and delivery of hygiene care, ultimately influencing patient outcomes. By understanding and addressing these perceptions, healthcare organizations can support and empower. Providing interactive hygiene care presents challenges related to time management, communication barriers, cultural preferences, and patient engagement. By implementing effective strategies such as prioritization, communication aids, cultural competence, and patient empowerment, clinical nurses can overcome these challenges and deliver high-quality interactive hygiene care that promotes patient well-being and satisfaction.