Is this rude?

[shavsha]

I have to have surgery soon (not in my facility but an affiliated one

). I feel like posting a sign above my bed that asks "Have you washed your hands?" or "Wash your hands, please". It has nothing personal with the facility...I'm just afraid of MRSA (and other bugs) in general. Would this just be too rude?

[nimbex, RN]

thanks for the reminder, although sinks in the room, I wash in the hall before entering... don't know why... habit I developed, once in the room, I'm tempted to start cleaning and picking up and organizing.... so handwashing is done before I entered.

Never thought that a patient might consider my hands not washed because they didn't see it...

Thanks for the reminder... It'll change my practice... wish you a speedy recovery.

[tiredernurse]

No I don't think this is rude. It is unfortunately quite neccessary. In fact I have read several articles lately (not medicine related) that people NEED to advise their health care workers to wash their hands. Just the other day I had to ask a doctor to wash his hands after examining a patients draining wounds. Oh - and he examined the patient without gloves. I don't think I would bother with a sign though, I don't find many people pay attention to them.

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

Just ask them very politely to wash their hands before they touch you. If they balk-remind them handwashing is the #1 way of decreasing risk of infection (as they should know!). Or just tell them you are paranoid about viruses, bacteria, fungus, etc.

(I know I am!!!)

Hope you have a speedy recovery!!!

p.s. Doctors are the worse-if I see one go into an isolation room ONE MORE TIME WITHOUT DRESSING OUT-someone had better come hold the purse!!!:chuckle (or I'll just start writing up:D )