Acrylic nails

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A friend of mine just called and was told that her hospital are going to make the nurses that have acrylic nails take them off because of a "directive from CDC". Anybody heard of such "directive"? Any thoughts? Any answers will be forwarded to her. Thank you.

"When you cease to dream, you cease to live".

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I work in the OR, so of course there is no acrylic nails, not even nail polish. But on the floor, there is no acrylic nails, and if nail poish, has to have been reapplied every 4 days in order to be considered "Fresh". I understand though for infectious reasons.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

there are many places with policies like this in place...and the reasons are sound. acrylic and long nails are linked to infection, period. studies have shown this. they don't belong in clinical areas for this reason. i would not want to bring such stuff home anyhow, would YOU?

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

All the facilities in my area require no artificial nails and natural nails must be kept short and free of polish, with the exception of a clear coat. I understand this, having worked in the restaurant industry for the past 10 years. You can get a LOT of crap under your nails and you don't want to be carrying around infections and such that you could pass on. It's for your own personal safety and protection, as well as the patients. I keep my nails trimmed because I don't like the feeling I might accidently scratch a patient. It's much easier to palpate and percuss with shorter nails as well.

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