Introduction
Healthcare professionals embrace the use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in order to address the needs of their clients. CPGs “provide quality evidence from past research to inform clinical actions and decisions” (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014, p. 12). Ironridge Community can embrace the use of CPGs to address the biohazard challenges affecting its people. The completed study indicated that Ironridge was facing a major biohazard issue. The presence of biohazards in the Ironridge Community presents numerous health problems to its dwellers. This discussion describes a CPG that can be used to deal with the problem in this community.
Scope and Purpose
The selected CPG document is “Guideline for Environmental Cleaning”. The document was aimed at addressing various bio-safety issues and biological challenges associated with every medical practice (NGC, 2014). The document was intended to present evidence-based approaches and scientific methods that can improve the level of safety in different communities. The document was also aimed at presenting useful guidelines that can produce better health results (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014). The CPG document provides appropriate “guidance for environmental cleaning and disinfection in the peri-operative practice setting” (NGC, 2014, para. 3). The document was prepared by a medical librarian who conducted extensive research to come up with evidence-based ideas” (NGC, 2014, para. 6).
The CPG identifies several questions that can be used to address the problem of biohazard wastes in the Ironridge Community (NGC, 2014). The major questions covered by the CPG document are presented below.
- How can communities address their biohazard problems and threats?
- What measures can be embraced to promote a culture of bio-safety?
- What are the best procedures for cleaning environments characterized by biological wastes?
Stakeholder Involvement
The involvement of different professionals throughout the document development process was critical towards recording positive results. The Association of Peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) approved the presented guidelines. The Recommended Practices Advisory Board (RPAB) was also involved throughout the development process. These two agencies also attracted different organizations in order to review the document. These key participants presented timely and applicable concepts throughout the document-preparation process.
The team was also comprised of scholars, medical practitioners, environmentalists, scientists, and members of the public (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014). This CPG targeted every American health practitioner, medical organization, and citizen. Patients “undergoing surgical or invasive procedures were also targeted” (NGC, 2014, para. 8). The clinical guidelines were aimed at promoting evidence-based practices that can help communities deal with biohazard wastes (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014). Health institutions can use these guidelines to promote the most desirable practices in Ironridge Community.
Rigor of Development
A powerful approach was used to develop this CPG document. To begin with, the librarian examined the strengths and weaknesses of the earlier document aimed at addressing various biological wastes and hazards. Members of the team observed that the CPG document was designed to deal with biological hazards associated with clinical and surgical procedures (NGC, 2014). The team also focused on the best practices that can be used to clean every contaminated environment (NGC, 2014).
Healthcare specialists from different learning institutions, agencies, organizations, and medical facilities were also involved. The team selected quality evidence-based research and publications in order to outline the best methods for addressing the issue of bio-safety in environmental practices and clinics. These approaches made it easier for the team to present new guidelines for cleaning contaminated environments (NGC, 2014). The guidelines also focused on the problem of biohazard waste. The panel presented evidence-based guidelines that can be used by the Ironridge Community to deal with the problem of biohazard wastes (NGC, 2014). These procedures show clearly that the panel used evidence-based studies, concepts, and ideas to develop the CPG document.
Clarity and Presentation (Recommendations)
The document offers meaningful recommendations that can improve safety in environments and clinics. The first issue focuses on the importance of promoting bio-safety practices. All functions of health science such as chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and necropsy should be performed in accordance with the presented bio-safety guidelines (NGC, 2014). The document also offers similar guidelines for healthcare professionals and public health workers.
Sayler and Sanseverino (2014) believe that “clinics should have biological safety cabinets are labeled and inspected frequently” (p. 31). Institutions and clinics should “embrace evidence-based practices such as hand-washing and use of disinfectants after handling hazardous biological compounds” (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014, p. 33). Members of the community should be educated and encouraged to embrace the best safety precautions. Surveillance of every diagnostic and clinical practice is mandatory in order to address the challenges associated with hazardous wastes. The document also explains why “precautionary measures should be undertaken to limit transmission of microorganisms during environmental cleaning and handling waste materials” (NGC, 2014, para. 9). These recommendations and suggestions can support the health needs of the Ironridge Community.
Application
CPGs should be implemented in every community in an attempt to address a wide range of health problems. Ironridge Community can use this CPG to address the problem of biohazard wastes. Such wastes can make it impossible for many people to have quality lives. In order to implement these guidelines successfully, different players and facilitators should be involved throughout the process. The most appropriate facilitators include healthcare professionals, public workers, nurses, and policymakers (NGC, 2014). As well, the relevant healthcare authorities in Ironridge Community should select a competent team to ensure the above recommendations are implemented in a professional manner.
Some barriers might affect the success of the implementation process in Ironridge. For example, this community might not have the required financial resources. The absence of competent professionals to implement and monitor these guidelines can become a major barrier in the community. Continued implementation of the outlined guidelines in different laboratories, institutions, and clinics can empower more people in Ironridge. However, more financial resources will be required in order to get quality results. It will also be appropriate to have a competent monitoring and surveillance team (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014). The team will guide and monitor the practices undertaken by different organizations across the community. Medical practitioners and public health workers in Ironridge Community will be monitored in order to empower the population (NGC, 2014). The team will also audit the implementation process and present new suggestions that can be used to improve the health outcomes of the targeted population. Periodic reviews should also be undertaken in order to improve the safety of every contaminated environment (NGC, 2014).
Editorial Independence
The most outstanding observation from this study is that there was no conflict of interest. The librarian was supported by different professionals to select and analyze the information obtained from the selected scholarly articles (NGC, 2014). Biohazards continue to affect the health outcomes of many American citizens. Biohazards have also been associated with different terminal conditions such as cancer in Ironridge (NGC, 2014). That being the case, members of the team were ready to present new guidelines that can tackle this problem.
The identified agencies presented adequate guidelines thus making the process successful. During the process, the CPG group members were encouraged to present their ideas. They also studied and analyzed different evidence-based documents thus delivering meaningful concepts (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014). The team examined the gathered concepts in order to produce the most desirable guidelines. The guidelines were reexamined and refined in an attempt to come up with a quality CPG document. Issues such as communication, decision-making, and conflicts were monitored throughout the development process. The approach made it easier for the team to present the best guidelines.
Conclusion
The CPG document offers adequate answers to the above questions. The guidelines can be used by healthcare professionals and communities to minimize the threats posed by biological wastes in Ironridge Community. The CPG also outlines specific measures that can be embraced to promote a culture of safety in every laboratory. Effective bio-safety practices, according to the CPG, can improve the health outcomes of many people in the Ironridge Community (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014).
The guidelines presented in this CPG can be used to address various biohazard problems. Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) can use these concepts to engage in the most desirable medical practices. They should also manage biological wastes in a professional manner. APNs working in high-risk environments can use the ideas outlined in the document to empower every member of the community (Sayler & Sanseverino, 2014). The ultimate goal of every medical practice is to support the health of every citizen.
Reference List
National Guideline Clearinghouse, (NGC). (2014). Guideline for Environmental Cleaning. Web.
Sayler, G., & Sanseverino, J. (2014). Biotechnology in the Sustainable Environment. New York, NY: Springer Shop.