I find that leading by example subliminally reminds co-workers to wash their hands. Many times, we nurses are so busy and can inadvertently leave the patients bedside without washing our hands. But once we see co-workers washing their hands it's a natural response to do the same. Hand hygeine is important because it's one of the easiest and best ways to prevent infections in our patients and ourselves.
Handwashing..basic rule, and so important in the prevention of the spread of disease. This is especially true in the health care setting, when rushing around here and there, we are exposed to so many diseases. Here is a little story..I worked in the ICU. This nurse was drawing blood from the a-line port of an HIV positive patient,when she got a phone call.She came out of the room with blood on her gloved hand, which she used to answer the phone. She finished her call and hung up the phone. I looked at the phone and there was no visible evidence of blood, although I know blood had touched the phone and could be easily transmitted onto someone elses hand.....that was an eye opening experience for me! Eileen
I have been a nurse for 4 years. i work at Albert Einstein Hospital, a division of Montefiore medical center in the Bronx, NY. I work on a medical surgical unit.I am married with two beautiful children ages 4 and 1years old.
2 comments:
Hi Carlene,
I find that leading by example subliminally reminds co-workers to wash their hands. Many times, we nurses are so busy and can inadvertently leave the patients bedside without washing our hands. But once we see co-workers washing their hands it's a natural response to do the same.
Hand hygeine is important because it's one of the easiest and best ways to prevent infections in our patients and ourselves.
Handwashing..basic rule, and so important in the prevention of the spread of disease. This is especially true in the health care setting, when rushing around here and there, we are exposed to so many diseases.
Here is a little story..I worked in the ICU. This nurse was drawing blood from the a-line port of an HIV positive patient,when she got a phone call.She came out of the room with blood on her gloved hand, which she used to answer the phone. She finished her call and hung up the phone. I looked at the phone and there was no visible evidence of blood, although I know blood had touched the phone and could be easily transmitted onto someone elses hand.....that was an eye opening experience for me!
Eileen
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