What is an example of a nursing intervention to enhance patient safety?

Implementing hand hygiene protocols is a critical nursing intervention to enhance patient safety because it directly reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These infections can occur when pathogens are transmitted between healthcare providers, patients, and the environment. Hand hygiene practices, such as proper handwashing or the use of hand sanitizers, significantly lower the likelihood of contaminating surfaces or directly transmitting infections from one person to another. By ensuring that both healthcare professionals and visitors adhere to these protocols, nurses help to create a safer environment for patients, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and reduced morbidity and mortality from preventable infections.

In contrast, while ordering diagnostic tests may be necessary for patient care, it does not directly address immediate safety concerns. Conducting physical therapy sessions is vital for rehabilitation but also does not inherently enhance safety on its own. Administering sedatives may be appropriate in some contexts to manage anxiety or agitation, but it can also introduce risks if not carefully monitored, such as respiratory depression or altered consciousness, thereby potentially compromising patient safety.