Final answer:
The most beneficial action for the nurse manager to take is to review asepsis policies at a mandatory in-service for staff. This ensures thorough understanding and adherence to infection control practices. While other actions like handwashing spot-checks and developing treatment protocols are important, they should come after a comprehensive policy review.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario where a nurse manager on an oncology nursing unit notes an increased incidence of infection and serious consequences for clients, the most beneficial action would be to review asepsis policies at a mandatory in-service for staff.
- Reviewing asepsis policies ensures that all staff are up-to-date on the most effective and current practices to prevent infection.
- Spot-checking handwashing practices, while important, might not be as comprehensive as a full policy review.
- Developing standard protocols for identifying and treating infections is crucial, but the primary focus should initially be on prevention.
- While instituting protective precautions for chemotherapy patients is necessary, it is not solely sufficient for addressing the overall increase in infections on the unit.
Handwashing is a fundamental component of infection control and must be performed vigilantly by healthcare workers to prevent the spread of infections. This includes not only routine cleaning between patient contact but also more extensive scrubbing for surgery to reduce microbial load on the skin. Aseptic techniques in medical procedures are necessary to maintain sterility and prevent sepsis, underscoring the importance of thorough policy review and staff training.