Originally Posted by daisybaby Today, administrators launched a handwashing campaign, part of which includes having patient care staff wear giant buttons that say, "Ask me if I washed my hands!" Patients are encouraged to ask this of their nurse/CNA/etc. every time s/he walks into their room. Every time.
I find this incredibly insulting both to my intelligence and to my professional practice as an RN. I cannot imagine what patients must be thinking: does it imply that we don't know enough to wash our hands? What else do they need to be checking up on, if we can't be trusted to have washed our hands after patient contact?
I understand that the aim is to decrease the spread of microorganisms. We all learned that in Nursing Fundamentals. I've listened to all the inservices on handwashing, antimicrobial foam and gel, and standard precautions ad nauseum. But this is way over the top. I don't ask my mechanic if he remembered to put all the parts back in my car and I don't ask my accountant if she used a calculator to figure out my taxes. I don't think I should be asked over and over if I'm doing my job, either.
We've had a hard enough time trying to be recognized as professionals without this nonsense. If I wanted to wear giant silly buttons at work I'd be waiting tables at TGI Fridays.
I told one of the administrators I'd consider wearing one if all the docs had to wear them, too. It's been a long time since I've seen some of them lather up before performing a bare-handed dressing change.
Considering that a friend of mine, who is not a nurse, was infected with MRSA infection, while in the hospital. I do not consider this button an insult. Neither the RNs, LPNs, residents or attending consistently washed their hands, prior to examining her, emptying her foley, etc, etc. I can understand why the administration is promoting this button, since the rate of hospital caused infections keeps rising, perhaps it would help to cut down the the rate of infection.
Grannynurse
How demeaning and how stupid! I cannot believe they would do that to you guys. I've seen the signs hanging on the walls in the doctor's office that say something to the effect of "help us to remember to wash our hands..." but the button is outrageous. McDonalds workers aren't even subjected to the humiliation of wearing that button...and nothing against fast food workers, but even before I was in nursing school, I never thought twice about whether or not a nurse's hands were clean, but I did wonder about those food handlers sometimes. 
(sorry I think it is funny too) Like somebody would really say:"No I did not wash them. Did you want me to wash them for you?" It is just stupid.
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