Comments on: Healthcare providers still aren’t washing their hands enough http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/06/healthcare-providers-washing-hands.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Kennethhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/06/healthcare-providers-washing-hands.html#comment-137318 Kenneth Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:25:11 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=44557#comment-137318 Ditto!Though most oral surgeons I've seen tend to glove prior to procedures, all of them neglect to wash their hands first.They simply stick their filthy fingers all over the glove box, contaminate the outer surface of the finger areas of the glove, struggle to put the gloves on (thus further contaminating more areas of the outer surface of the gloves), ultimately wiping all of this filth like peanut butter spread onto the teeth, lips, and gums of the patients.By the way, as part of all the, the glove box opening has also been contaminated (too bad for the next oral surgeon and all patients down the line being serviced by a surgeon using the same glove box.You would think that doctors have taken bio 101, 201, etc and have used a microscope before in their careers.. Ditto!

Though most oral surgeons I’ve seen tend to glove prior to procedures, all of them neglect to wash their hands first.

They simply stick their filthy fingers all over the glove box, contaminate the outer surface of the finger areas of the glove, struggle to put the gloves on (thus further contaminating more areas of the outer surface of the gloves), ultimately wiping all of this filth like peanut butter spread onto the teeth, lips, and gums of the patients.

By the way, as part of all the, the glove box opening has also been contaminated (too bad for the next oral surgeon and all patients down the line being serviced by a surgeon using the same glove box.

You would think that doctors have taken bio 101, 201, etc and have used a microscope before in their careers..

]]> By: Stephen C Schimpffhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/06/healthcare-providers-washing-hands.html#comment-137077 Stephen C Schimpff Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:00:59 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=44557#comment-137077 Handwashing, as the post emphasizes, is key to preventing hospital acquired infection. Years ago, as an oncology and infectious disease attending at a branch of the National Cancer Institute, I spent much time in July stressing the importance of infection prevention to the new oncology fellows, especially handwashing. The patients were those receiving intensive cancer chemotherapy and were at high risk. When my turn to attend came up again three months later, I decided to just watch and see if my previous exhortations had had an impact. To my dismay, only one fellow, on one occasion, washed his hands during the month!I have since learned some important concepts. First, the need for education, including signage about the importance of handwashing. Call this a “nudge.” Second, it is imperative that it be made easy with sinks or alcohol based sanitizer dispensers conveniently placed at the entrance to each patient’s room ,i.e., allow no reason to give excuses. Third, the patient needs to know the importance also and be taught to tell everyone to wash before contact (be their own policeman.) But finally, it is critical that everyone know that hand hygiene is not only important but the expected cultural norm. No surgeon would enter an OR without handwashing but we have all seen the same surgeon go from patient to patient changing wound dressing and not washing unless his or her hands got soiled. So we need a culture that insists. This must start with the chief of service (for docs) or the head nurse (for nurses and support staff.) He or she has to make it known that no exceptions will be tolerated. Once means a warning. Twice means a negative financial incentive such as baring a surgeon from the OR for a week or baring an internist form admitting patients for a week. The negative economic incentive will have an immediate impact on everyone but it only works if the boss says it must. Handwashing, as the post emphasizes, is key to preventing hospital acquired infection. Years ago, as an oncology and infectious disease attending at a branch of the National Cancer Institute, I spent much time in July stressing the importance of infection prevention to the new oncology fellows, especially handwashing. The patients were those receiving intensive cancer chemotherapy and were at high risk. When my turn to attend came up again three months later, I decided to just watch and see if my previous exhortations had had an impact. To my dismay, only one fellow, on one occasion, washed his hands during the month!

I have since learned some important concepts. First, the need for education, including signage about the importance of handwashing. Call this a “nudge.” Second, it is imperative that it be made easy with sinks or alcohol based sanitizer dispensers conveniently placed at the entrance to each patient’s room ,i.e., allow no reason to give excuses. Third, the patient needs to know the importance also and be taught to tell everyone to wash before contact (be their own policeman.) But finally, it is critical that everyone know that hand hygiene is not only important but the expected cultural norm. No surgeon would enter an OR without handwashing but we have all seen the same surgeon go from patient to patient changing wound dressing and not washing unless his or her hands got soiled. So we need a culture that insists. This must start with the chief of service (for docs) or the head nurse (for nurses and support staff.) He or she has to make it known that no exceptions will be tolerated. Once means a warning. Twice means a negative financial incentive such as baring a surgeon from the OR for a week or baring an internist form admitting patients for a week. The negative economic incentive will have an immediate impact on everyone but it only works if the boss says it must.

]]>