nails

[iluvmynavyman]

i was told that nurses cant wear fake nails or nail polish is that true?

[Kidrn911]

Hopeful-

I really hate to rain on your parade, but you need to do your homework before spending all the time, money and effort on nursing school if you can't give up your fake nails. I have yet to work anyplace that allows them. There have been numerous studies about them being an infection risk no matter how careful you are. I feel for you, because I believe what you are saying, but that isn't going to change the fact that they simply aren't allowed in patient care areas. Period.

You posted that you have tried many things--have you seen a dermatologist or doctor? They may have some solution that will improve your condition to the point of being able to go natural. You need to look into it now. Trust me, it is a real, evidence-based policy in all hospitals. As with everything, there are those who break the rules, but do you want to be that person? Good luck with finding a good solution.

Thank You janey. I think a different career maybe her best option, especially since patient safety is at risk.

[Christie RN2006]

Thank You janey. I think a different career maybe her best option, especially since patient safety is at risk.

Not just patient safety, but her own also!

[shellsincanada]

http://earthchangesmedia.com/biology/0324nailbacteria.htm

[shellsincanada]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/547793

Bacteria Found on Fingernails and Artificial Nails

Studies have documented that subungual areas of the hand harbor high concentrations of bacteria, most frequently coagulase-negative staphylococci, gram-negative rods (including Pseudomonas), Corynebacterium, and yeasts.[1] Freshly applied nail polish does not increase the number of bacteria recovered from periungual skin, but chipped nail polish may support the growth of larger numbers of organisms on fingernails. Even after careful hand washing or the use of surgical scrubs or hand rubs, personnel often harbor substantial numbers of potential pathogens in the subungual spaces.

Whether artificial nails contribute to transmission of healthcare-associated infections is unknown. However, individuals who wear artificial nails are more likely to harbor gram-negative pathogens on their fingertips than are those who have natural nails, both before and after hand washing. The effect of length of natural or artificial nails on infection risk is also unknown, because the majority of bacterial growth occurs along the proximal 1 mm of the nail adjacent to subungual skin.

An outbreak of P aeruginosa in a neonatal intensive care unit was attributed to 2 nurses (one with long natural nails and one with long artificial nails) who carried the implicated strains of Pseudomonas on their hands.[3] The infected neonatal patients were substantially more likely than controls to have been cared for by the 2 nurses during the exposure period, indicating that colonization of long or artificial nails with Pseudomonas may have contributed to causing the outbreak. Personnel wearing artificial nails also have been epidemiologically linked to several other outbreaks of infection caused by gram-negative bacilli and yeast. These studies provide evidence that wearing artificial nails may increase the likelihood that harmful bacteria may be transmitted to patients, posing an infection control risk.[4]

Fungus and Artificial Nails

Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms (Tinea unguium) that can infect fingernails and toenails. More than 35 million people in the United States are infected with this fungus.[5] The fungus lives underneath the nail. The nail provides a safe place for the fungus and protects it while it grows, because fungi thrive in dark and damp places. This is why it's hard to treat nail fungus. Both nail polish and plastic or acrylic nails can trap moisture and fungi.

The AORN recommends the following concerning acrylic (artificial) nails:

• Artificial nails should NOT be worn.
  
• Numerous studies validate the increased number of bacteria cultured from the fingertips of persons wearing artificial nails, both before and after hand washing.
  
• State Boards of Cosmetology report that fungal growth occurs more frequently under artificial nails.

The Bottom Line

Even the World Health Organization guidelines on hand hygiene state that wearing artificial acrylic nails can contribute to hands remaining contaminated with pathogens after use of soap or alcohol-based hand gels.[8] Considering all of these recommendations and cautions about long fingernails, nail polish, and acrylic nails, the answer to your question regarding a colleague who still wears artificial nails might be summed up by suggesting that nurses refrain from such a practice in the interest of preventing healthcare-associated infection. All nurses, not just those who care for perioperative patients or others at high risk for infection, should be guided by their conscience and the research data that suggest that both artificial nails and even nail polish can put patients at risk

[Kidrn911]

Not just patient safety, but her own also!

Your right hersafety as well;)

[KrisRNwannabe]

I have long since removed my fake nails but all this stuff still gets me. I swabbed under my fake nails in school along with several others with short nails. and guess who had crud growing??? NOT ME!!!!!!!! and people talk about them being sharp. heck no I can draw blood with my own but never with a fake nail. I also agree with the poster who said something about them falling into a wound and why would you be doing anything around a wound without gloves??? but like I said mine are gone and I miss them. and I don't agree with the some of negatives about them. I have also talked to some of the infectious disease docs at my hospital that say that they are not as bad as people make them out to be provided that they are cared for and maintained properly.

[Diana,RN]

at my hospital the policy says: No acrylic nails and the nails should not be longer than 1/4 inch, I think that's too long already, and I've seen RN's with nails that are 1/2 inch and more at my facility, no one seems to care

Diana

[vivibonita]

We were always told not to wear nail polish as it can flake off and contaminate a wound for instance. I still never wear nail polish but I do buff my nails to a nice shine. False nails could be a definite skin hazard especially amongst those with compromised skin integrity and again there is the risk of them falling off and contaminating wounds etc.

So, the person who told you this also suggested performing patient and wound care without gloves??

[nightmare, RN]

While I agree that well-kept polish is fine and chipping is not, this particular reason doesn't make much sense to me. In ANY instance where "flaking polish" could contaminate a wound, why would you not be wearing gloves (sterile gloves, even)? If the wound could be contaminated in such a manner, it would not be open to air to rub on sheets, etc...it would be under wraps, in a dressing. Polish would never be an issue here. And I do have to say that the idea of doing a sterile dressing change barehanded (such that a fake nail could "fall off" and contaminate it) seems silly :)

After reading your post I agree with you!!:) But then I trained in the days when wearing anything "artificial" was frowned on! That included makeup,perfume,nail polish etc. I suppose we did do a lot of things then without gloves which we won't now.You were constantly scrubbing hands back then hence the fact that you would chip nail polish!

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I certainly cant wear nails and stuff like that. It interferes with my golfswing, And they just dont have my color. How terrible.

[puggymae]

Chipped nail polish has ragged edges that collect bacteria.

We had a nurse with artificial nails get a horrible MRSA infection under her nail. She was fired because artificial nails are forbidden at our facility.

Since that incident infection control spot checks on days/nights to see if anyone has artificial nails on. If you do you get fired on the spot. Only two persons have been fired - because it is obvious that the hospital means business.

For the poster with the really thin nails - that would be horrible to go through. I worry that you could get a nasty infection with OR without the overlay.

[shellsincanada]

I just know if I was one of the two nurses responsible for the deaths of those premmies in the nicu I would feel horrible guilt. Not worth the nails - even if they weren't banned at my work.