Alarmism??

tk3100 · May 2, 2008

Although I agree that there is some good common-sense ideas in the article, the fact that this is even in print appalls me. It is already hard to maintain a positive image of the profession, then an article like this. Nursing does not change basic characteristics of the nurse. If you were lazy and careless before school, this will probably not change. Likewise, if you were careless and lazy before becoming a teacher, a contractor, an engineer, etc.... most likely you still will be in your chosen career. I was absolutely stunned that syringes were reused. I would never have even thought of such a thing. The things some people do sometimes........a special kind of stupid, for sure.

GeauxNursing · May 3, 2008

i think this is a good article. however "skewed" it might be, (I don't really think so), it IS important information for people to have. Like it or not, there are bacteria floating around in hospitals. my MS text says that almost 50 percent of hospital complications come from nosocomial infections. Patients SHOULD be encouraged to become more proactive, isn't that what we want, as nurses?

miko014 · May 3, 2008

my MS text says that almost 50 percent of hospital complications come from nosocomial infections.

Also important to remember, 87.4% of all statistics are made up. :lol2: (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

First, I know that nosocomial infections are a serious problem, and that we all need to be vigilant about hand washing and infection control, whcih includes instructing family members about proper procedures when dealing with their loved one, especially if they are on isolation for something.

Second, post-op (or post-procedure) infections are a big part of the nosocomial infections that arise. But would those infections occur anyway? I mean, even if the pt was at home? Maybe the pt already was colonized with MRSA, and the bug just took it's opportunity to grab hold when the body was comprmised. We'll never know, will we? I'm not saying we shouldn't be super careful, I'm just saying, whoever said that stuff like this creates an "us vs. them" mentality is right. (sorry, it won't let me go back and see who said that, haha!)

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · May 3, 2008

I think the foley advice is smart...and many of the surgeons I work with try not to use them unless necessary.

I'm not surprised by this article. The media thrives on sensationalism. I agree with those who think most of the advice is sound but that the tone and title are alarmist.

But, how come these things never mention the amount of visitors that some patients get? I'm quite sure many of them don't wash their hands. Some bring food and drink the patient isn't supposed to have or disturb their rest by being disruptive. Many patients "play" with their IV sites and tubes also.

I feel bad badly for the young man in the article but infections are going to happen sometimes no matter what.

AprilRNhere · May 3, 2008

While I agree it's not the best tactic to be passive when it comes to your healthcare, these types of articles get under my skin. They make healthcare look so bad. What would have happened to this guy if he had no medical treatment? I'm not saying it wasn't tragic..but they make it sound like they did no good..and were just out to hurt him.

I'd love to have some studies done on how much crap people bring in with them. Like someone else said...how do we if/when someone already has something but it hasn't taken hold yet?

It's insane sometimes the amount of patient teaching we have to do about bacteria to families. I had a pt in ICU who had a surgical wound positive for MRSA. We're gowning and gloving with every entry into the room..and it was all I could do to get the family to use the hand foam. They were comming in (washing only when reminded) putting personal items all over the room (including the floor) and appeared as blindsided each time I gave them the education as the last time. That was the day I started wondering how much infecting pt's are doing themselves.

Unfortunately..those that don't wash..and those that reuse needles...I hardly think asking them about it will fix anything.

Scrubby · May 3, 2008

I don't have a problem with this article at all. I had an MRSA infection after an intramuscular injection two years ago. I don't really know why it happened, but when i have an injection now i always insist whoever does it to swab the site first and i watch them to ensure that they wash their hands first. These things unfortunately happen. I think it's important for patients to know that nurses/docs need to wash their hands, not reuse syringes. I don't believe that patients should be completely ignorant and blindly trust the health system because it can fail them. I've seen many a nurse or doc not wash their hands, thankfully i haven't seen a syringe reused.

[The article says nothing about the dangers of skydiving which is the original cause of the young man's problem.]

What is your point? Why should the article even mention this? Are you trying to imply that he put himself in hospital in the first place so the hospital should not be held accountable? I'm pretty sure that more people die from nosocomial infecions than from sky diving each year. Yes he would not have been in hospital in the first place but that goes for people in cars, motorbikes, horseriding etc. It could have happened to someone who wasn't sky diving who fell down some stairs or something.

imanedrn · May 4, 2008

Also important to remember, 87.4% of all statistics are made up. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Love it! No relation to this thread, but my husband and I went over this tonight. Don't know why it came up, but he said that "69%" of all statistics are made up, and I reminded him that "actually, 69.84% of all statistics are made up on the spot." You have to throw those extra decimals in there to get people... It's funny when they agree with you... then the light bulb goes off :yelclap:

Athenas83 · May 4, 2008

I think the idea about the patient putting candy by the sink so the nurses and docs will wash their hands is hilarious LOL