By Healthcare Facilities Today

Health care-associated infections (HAIs)  are serious concerns for every hospital and health care facility. Standing between them and their victims is the health care team including environmental services (ES) personnel, nurses and infection prevention specialists, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.

Each of these groups is dedicated to taking the necessary steps to reduce HAIs, but operating in silos can go only so far, the article said. Working together in a mutually supportive workplace culture is key to reducing the risks for acquiring HAIs.

"ANA/AONE Principles for Collaborative Relationships between Clinical Nurses and Nurse Managers" recently was developed by the American Nurses Association and the American Organization of Nurse Executives. These principles could be applied to the need for collaboration among ES, nursing and infection prevention departments.

Communication, authentic relationships and a learning environment and culture are key according to the report.

Read the article.