Nursing Care and Patient Environment

Nursing Care in Veterinary Medicine

• Essential knowledge includes normal anatomy and physiology of animals.
• Understanding disease pathology is critical for effective nursing care.
• Practical and critical thinking skills are vital in assessing patient needs.

Overlooked Aspects of Care

• Patient's environment significantly impacts recovery and comfort.
• Factors like noise levels, room temperature, hygiene, and cleanliness must be monitored.

Cleanliness Standards

• Maintain clean cages to promote health.
• Ensure fresh water and food supply to prevent dehydration and malnutrition.
• Provide clean towels and ensure the environment is odor-free.

Nosocomial Infections

• Nosocomial infections are acquired during hospital stays and can escalate into super infections.
• Super bugs, like MRSA, pose serious threats to debilitated and immunocompromised patients.

Preventing Nosocomial Infections

• Proper maintenance and handling of access sites are crucial for infection control.
• Hand washing is imperative before and after handling patients.
• Regular cleaning of cages, tables, and removing soiled bedding is necessary to reduce infection risk.
• Frequent surveillance for infections should be conducted, along with a microbial surveillance plan.
• Culture and sensitivity testing (C & S) helps identify effective disinfectants; rotate them to prevent resistance.

Noise and Air Quality

• Reducing noise in the veterinary environment alleviates patient anxiety that can lead to psychological stress.
• Avoid housing dogs and cats in the same ward to minimize stress.
• Ensure well-ventilated areas conducive to patient comfort.

Temperature Consideration

• Pay attention to room temperature, taking into account the size of the patient.
• Special care for brachycephalic breeds as they are more sensitive to temperature extremes.

Infectious Disease Protocols

• Isolate infected animals by housing them in separate wards to prevent cross-contamination.
• Limit traffic around infected wards and designate specific kennels and supplies for their care.
• Wash linens separately in contained bags to prevent spreading pathogens.
• Use personal protective equipment such as gowns, gloves, masks, and shoe covers during care procedures.
• Implement footbaths to maintain biosecurity when entering and exiting high-risk areas.

Nursing Care in Veterinary Medicine

• Essential knowledge includes normal anatomy and physiology of animals.
• Understanding disease pathology is critical for effective nursing care.
• Practical and critical thinking skills are vital in assessing patient needs.

Overlooked Aspects of Care

• Patient's environment significantly impacts recovery and comfort.
• Factors like noise levels, room temperature, hygiene, and cleanliness must be monitored.

Cleanliness Standards

• Maintain clean cages to promote health.
• Ensure fresh water and food supply to prevent dehydration and malnutrition.
• Provide clean towels and ensure the environment is odor-free.

Nosocomial Infections

• Nosocomial infections are acquired during hospital stays and can escalate into super infections.
• Super bugs, like MRSA, pose serious threats to debilitated and immunocompromised patients.

Preventing Nosocomial Infections

• Proper maintenance and handling of access sites are crucial for infection control.
• Hand washing is imperative before and after handling patients.
• Regular cleaning of cages, tables, and removing soiled bedding is necessary to reduce infection risk.
• Frequent surveillance for infections should be conducted, along with a microbial surveillance plan.
• Culture and sensitivity testing (C & S) helps identify effective disinfectants; rotate them to prevent resistance.

Noise and Air Quality

• Reducing noise in the veterinary environment alleviates patient anxiety that can lead to psychological stress.
• Avoid housing dogs and cats in the same ward to minimize stress.
• Ensure well-ventilated areas conducive to patient comfort.

Temperature Consideration

• Pay attention to room temperature, taking into account the size of the patient.
• Special care for brachycephalic breeds as they are more sensitive to temperature extremes.

Infectious Disease Protocols

• Isolate infected animals by housing them in separate wards to prevent cross-contamination.
• Limit traffic around infected wards and designate specific kennels and supplies for their care.
• Wash linens separately in contained bags to prevent spreading pathogens.
• Use personal protective equipment such as gowns, gloves, masks, and shoe covers during care procedures.
• Implement footbaths to maintain biosecurity when entering and exiting high-risk areas.