Canada Values Health - Dialogue on Health Care -

How do the cleanliness of our hospitals and the hand washing practices of their staff affect health care?

2009-03-09 09:25:35

How much attention should be paid to the cleanliness of our hospitals, and the hand washing practices of hospital staff? What are some steps that could be taken to improve the situation?

Your responses
Hospital Infections harrise Posted: 2009-04-15 07:35:21 We all know that nosocomial infections are a huge health care risk and are prevalent in our health care insititutions. As suggested, studies show that the single most effective way of preventing transmission of micro-organisms is through effective handwashing. Visitors and staff need to adhere to the guidelines. As for hospital cleanliness, I agree that many of our hospitals could be much cleanier. They should not try to save money on this requirement. There has been a general decline in the cleanliness of hospitals. Many hospitals contract out for this service and it just isn't as good as inside help.
Purell burno Posted: 2009-03-16 08:29:40 recently spent sometime in Boston Childrens Hospital with grandchild.... Every station every office every where there were bottles of purell and you were encouraged to take one and clean your hands before entering a patients room... There was no skimping on the cleanliness either of the rooms or the curtains there was adequate visible staffing to ensure all skid marks all unsightly spots or other things were removed ... Visited Etobicoke General Hospital with a family member in the ER (it was late) what a disgrace.... Dressing on the floor... garbage overflowing.. However a visit to Credit Valley hospital showed to opposite.. perhaps other hospitals should find out what they do.....
Rediscovering germs bneuwelt Posted: 2009-03-14 04:48:43 This has to be the most ridiculous problem in our "advanced" health care system. How many centuries ago was the big breakthough of the discovery of germs, after which came hand-washing and sterilization procedures and suddenly a much higher survival rate for medical procedures? Now we're back in the dark ages. What big discovery will it take for those "recalcitrants" among hospital staff to start washing their hands again?
hospital cleanliness ann carson Posted: 2009-03-12 14:58:26 a huge issue. hospitals are breeding grounds for disease. doctors are the least compliant of all staff a few suggestions: more staff so the nurses and doctors are not in such a great hurry more money for hygiene promoting products-like masks and gloves that don't cause reactions give patients permission to comment on lax staff hygiene -they know-without then being punished for whistle blowing
Update the question chasn Posted: 2009-03-12 11:42:15 Studies were made and recommendations given to ensure good practices were defined. The problem is " \How do you get the stuborn and recalcitrants to follow the recommendations" Like youngsters saying no to all requests, they simply refuse to mentally grow up and become the answer to the problem, not one of the major causes.
Superbugs JennJilks Posted: 2009-03-12 10:58:06 The importance of prevention is lost to busy health care workers. It is up to the patient to ask if they washed their hands. And not just with antibacterials. It has to be hand WASHING. See more at: http://ontarioseniors.blogspot.com/2008/11/superbugs.html
Hospital staff infection control EpiResearcher Posted: 2009-03-12 10:05:22 I'm not sure how common this is in Canada these days, but in the US and many other countries hospital employees, including doctors, nurses, and medical students, frequently wear their scrubs to and from work, potentially exposing both the public and their patients to fomites from inside and outside the hospital (example, bringing fomites from public transport to their patients' bedsides). Following the SARS outbreaks, hospital workers in Singapore completely changed this practice and now do not wear scrubs outside the hospital. Hospital staff everywhere should think about what may be hiding on their bodies, including unwashed hands and hospital scrubs, before seeing patients and leaving work.
hand washing R.POCIUS Posted: 2009-03-10 19:03:11 This is one of the most important things we can do cheaply to reduce the spread of highly contagious diseases. Many hospital staff do not adhere to this simple procedure and we have rampant infections because of it. i know people working in hospitals who are disgusted by their co-workers lack of hygiene.