You just finished preparing IV medications for a patient with the nursing staff, and you thoroughly washed your hands before doing so. As you enter the patient's room with the medication, describe the first thing you do to prevent patient infection.
While in surgical care, patients are at significant risk of picking up an infection. Although infection prevention measures in the healthcare industry have greatly improved over the years, the risk still exists, and healthcare professionals must be vigilant to prevent infections. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to know that you understand the importance of handwashing upon entering a patient's room and/or before administering any sort of medication.
"The first thing I would do to prevent infection is to wash my hands. There are other actions I would need to take in preventing infection, but handwashing is primary. During my Anesthesiology residency training, I was trained in the CDC's 'Project Firstline' program on infection control in the healthcare setting. This training taught me to take the appropriate measures, and in a situation like this, I would use PPE if needed as well. I understand I will be working with patients that require me to gown up before surgery, and I wouldn't hesitate to do so."
Although it may seem obvious, the simple task of handwashing is the first step in infection prevention. Explain that the first step you would take to prevent infection would be to wash your hands thoroughly. Talk about any formal infection prevention training you received. Reiterate that you always take the necessary measures to keep patients safe. Be sure to point out the importance of using PPE and safely managing all care equipment.
