We as Nurses know this one. We even know little cute ways to know how long to wash them(i.e. alphabet song, happy birthday, etc.). A new study conducted by our University Hospital's Medical Tech Program reminded me that Bacterial Colonies, Fungal Spores, and Viruses love the things we touch the most!
Here is the list of the top 10 "most infected" surfaces according to 10 Students swabbing 218 Inpatient Hospital Items.
10. Toilet Flush Lever
9. Soap Dispenser Button
8. Salt/Pepper Shaker in Staff Cafeteria(see #6)
7. Rim of sink(cleaned daily)
6. Cafeteria Cleaning rag
5. An Elevator button(Ground Floor)
4. Water Fountain Handle
3. (TIE) A Patient's Bed's TV Button and Handle of a Patient's Thermos
2. A Stethoscope's Bell(Owned by Infection Control RN)
1. Nursing Desk Phone
..."best(Worst?) in show"? The "S" key of one of the "Staff Only" Computers. Now I think "Staph Computer" may better sum it up.
"Dishonorable" Mentions: Some surfaces' ranks that didn't make the top 10 included a toilet seat(#88), a hearing aid(#31), a BSC(#47), an Emesis Basin(#20), a used tube of Wound Gel (#11), and an abandoned pair of Dentures left in moist Zip-Lock bag (#12)!!!
Do you have any advice for Infection Control Methods?
What are some disturbing things you have seen, that, if given the authority to change, it would be safer/more sanitary?
Do you wash your hands in patients' room for them to witness?
Is enough hand hygiene taught at your facility, and if so do you see it being followed?
Feel free to answer one or more, or just leave a comment if you wish.
Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.
When I worked in a SNF, we had a resident who was notorious for wiping her bum with the curtain. Housekeeping refused to take the curtain down to wash it, so I would have to perch precariously on a chair and take it down myself. And then convincing the laundry people to actually wash it was a task all its own. I don't miss that place.
Wow some of these are scary! We have tried so many different projects on our unit to try to encourage staff to wash hands/use hand sanitizer. I work in the NICU so it is hard to get our parents to comply with this too. Also, you'd be surprised how many staff members (housekeepers, respiratory therapists, doctors, etc.) in addition to our staff nurses that I watch do things like touch their hair, eat food, etc. and then go and touch the patient without washing!
I have looked back over the list, and no accudoses, or Pyxis was swabbed. But, I bet the finger-bio-tech-scan-thingamajig is filthy! I guess I am glad they didn't, ignorance is bliss they say!
On the water bottles, I actually heard that on Paul Harvey Show years ago, but your right, I am going to suggest that as a test-study, because that smells like a marketing scam!
Money..the dirtiest thing ever. I have seen many of my coworkers omit washing their hands after handling money. Just think where some of that money may have been...!
No curtains in study, but a blind manipulator rod in report room was nearly last at #208, I think they at least use a bacteriostatic in those separator curtains, hopefully:)
Hydrocarbons (plastics) to microbes are toxic, that's why the plastic H2O bottles make me wonder now too.
This is what really gets me. We go room to room doing vitals. Of course an isolation room has its own. So these cuffs and 02 sat finger things are NEVER washed between patients. WHY is this? I use alcohol swabs to clean it but have no idea if this is the right thing to clean with. If I am ever in a hospital and alert, I will ask for that finger holder to be wiped down. And then the patients are toileted and do not wash hands. And what about those urinals that are placed on the bedside table next to the food! I am astonished.
I would be the idiot who would be stupid enough lying there in bed, watching the morning show, eating breakfast, and drink from the wrong container!
No, I always use the handle to clip it on their bedside if they can't ambulate.
Also, not to pull a TMI, but some men just don't have enough "resources" to be able to lay on their backs and use those things! I mean, they don't work to well straight up with the opening down, lol, but it's awkward when a young surgical patient male asks for help, and you raise the head of the bed, pull back the covers, lift the gown, and suddenly you realize, this isn't going to work!
I have also seen doctors order condom caths for poor patients that is the equivalent to trying to get it on an "outie" belly button. Oh, the things you learn in Nursing. "I'm gonna mash down on his belly, and then you slide it on." Oh, how being the one with the lowest seniority can bite!
i wrote a thread about the following: plenty of normal appearing ao3 pts who go to the br and don't wash their hands. i feel awkward reminding grown adults to do this.
Goodness! I am speechless, which seldom/never happens!!! W-A-S-H is a four-letter word - a good one! DO IT regardless and protect yourself in addition to your patients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did anyone mention the privacy curtains yet? Not sure how often those get cleaned, and I frequently see those being handled after patient contact, before hand washing.
lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN
940 Posts
When I worked in a SNF, we had a resident who was notorious for wiping her bum with the curtain. Housekeeping refused to take the curtain down to wash it, so I would have to perch precariously on a chair and take it down myself. And then convincing the laundry people to actually wash it was a task all its own. I don't miss that place.