Hospital infections on Good Morning Amercia.

lilbiskit78 · Jun 7, 2005

I watched it also and thought the same as you, sunny; the public is not always responsible with taking their abx as they should. Also, the woman was talking about foleys being the biggest source of infection in the hospital (true), and that often time people do not need them, but they are put in b/c the staff is too busy to walk them to the bathroom. That's what the woman said! Now, I may be a new and very green GN but that statement irked me. Besides, it's not the "busy hospital staff" who ordered that foley to be put in!! Anyone else see that?

sunnyjohn · Jun 7, 2005

Yeah, I heard the foley comment too.

aprilleverett · Jun 7, 2005

Ugh! I didn't see the report, but saying something like that? (about the foley) No wonder some of the public is so afraid to go to the hospital, I'm not saying the places are perfect.. some are FAR from it.. but anyone who did any proper investingating at all would easily find out that in a hospital foleys are usually inserted for monitoring accurate urinary output.. especially post op!

pricklypear · Jun 7, 2005

* Don't be afraid to ask the doctor to wash his or her hands and clean stethoscope or other equipment with alcohol.
* At least a week before surgery, start using an antibacterial soap and don't shave, which can cause nicks and cuts for bacteria to enter.
* Ask your doctor about taking pre-surgery antibiotics.
* Limit the number of people in the operating room.
* Try to avoid the use of a urinary catheter if possible -- they are a commom infection entry point.

Great, so we'll systematically wipe out good stuff over that week that patients are using antibacterial soap and get the other bacteria good and resistant.

Don't shave? Doesn't this lady realize that the surgical area will be prepped by a shave??

Limit the number of people in the OR? How? Like that is the patient's call. Except I guess they can be asked if students can observe. Even though students aren't usually allowed to participate in surgery or touch equipment.

The only valid advice I see there is don't be afraid to ask people to wash. And maybe that should include visitors. How bout "ask the 95 members of your extended family (including the 12 toddlers with colds) to wait until you are recovering at home before visiting?"

pricklypear · Jun 7, 2005

Ugh! I didn't see the report, but saying something like that? (about the foley) No wonder some of the public is so afraid to go to the hospital, I'm not saying the places are perfect.. some are FAR from it.. but anyone who did any proper investingating at all would easily find out that in a hospital foleys are usually inserted for monitoring accurate urinary output.. especially post op!

Well, I don't know about you, but I would much rather go into renal failure without anybody knowing it until lab is drawn than risk an infection from a foley. Not to mention pee the bed 2 or 3 times because I'm still groggy. that sounds fun.

sunnyjohn · Jun 7, 2005

The shave prep comment confused me too.

Don't we do the shave prep minutes before surgery to limit infection?

An instructor told me "In the good 'ole days" they used to shave very hairy patients the night before in a seperate room. She recalled th story of shaving one patients vey hairy back...

begalli · Jun 7, 2005

Actually I recently read in a nursing journal that the pre-op shave will soon become a thing of the past. Instead, clipping is recommended to avoid the skin breaks that this woman mentioned. The article in RN; Reduce surgical infection: A step-by-step guide. May 2005. Vol. 68, No.5, pgs 32-33, also talked about the perioperative abx.

The foley comment really irritated me. When a patient is in the ICU tethered to a monitor and q1hr u/o is ordered, the foley is necessary.

The problem with this very brief information bit is that there are so many variables that come into play. Maybe it was meant with good intentions, but how frustrating that it was made to sound so cut and dry.

Maybe she should have focused on one preventative measure such as washing hands and really delivered a good bit of fact based information on it.

Okay, let's copy our posts and paste them into an email to GMA.

:)

begalli · Jun 7, 2005

fyi - this woman has never been in a position to determine whether or not a foley is indicated. you know, one of those suits who make policy.

who is betsy mccaughey?

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 7, 2005

Actually I recently read in a nursing journal that the pre-op shave will soon become a thing of the past. Instead, clipping is recommended to avoid the skin breaks that this woman mentioned. The article in RN; Reduce surgical infection: A step-by-step guide. May 2005. Vol. 68, No.5, pgs 32-33, also talked about the perioperative abx.
The foley comment really irritated me. When a patient is in the ICU tethered to a monitor and q1hr u/o is ordered, the foley is necessary.
The problem with this very brief information bit is that there are so many variables that come into play. Maybe it was meant with good intentions, but how frustrating that it was made to sound so cut and dry.
Maybe she should have focused on one preventative measure such as washing hands and really delivered a good bit of fact based information on it.
Okay, let's copy our posts and paste them into an email to GMA.
:)

We stopped pre-op shaves in our OB dept for csections. NO razors ever. We use a clipper now---no cutting that way.

I did not see the show, so I can't comment fully. I will have to read up.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 7, 2005

I had to post this one. I was watching GOOD MORNING AMERICA. After The interview with Brad Pitt, they started talking about hospital infections. It was very interesting.
My only problem, they did not mention that alot of these "super bugs" are the result of the misuse of antibiotics by the public
--------------------------------
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/
June 7, 2005
Many Americans may not realize it, but some hospitals in the United States are rampant with infection-causing bacteria. According to some experts, more than 100,000 people die every year from infections contracted in hospitals.
This morning, Betsy McCaughey, founder of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, appeared on "Good Morning America" to talk to viewers about how they can protect themselves from contracting infections in hospitals. Some of her tips include:
* Don't be afraid to ask the doctor to wash his or her hands and clean stethoscope or other equipment with alcohol.
* At least a week before surgery, start using an antibacterial soap and don't shave, which can cause nicks and cuts for bacteria to enter.
* Ask your doctor about taking pre-surgery antibiotics.
* Limit the number of people in the operating room.
* Try to avoid the use of a urinary catheter if possible -- they are a commom infection entry point.
If you'd like more information, go to hospitalinfectionrates.org.

Most of the above sounds reasonable, but I do question a couple of these suggestions. Yes,we know, foley catheters ARE a huge source of nosocomial infection---the stats do support that claim. I think that was the point---but it was lost in the way they said it. Perhaps what should have been said, is, ask whether the use of a long-term indwelling catheter is really necessary? Maybe questioning invasive procedures of any sort is not a bad idea---at least knowing WHY and how long these devices will remain does put the consumer in a position of some power and understanding, right?

I don't like the pre-surgery antibiotic tx idea, either!!! I think that is dangerous. Suggesting a physician use abx is always a bad idea to me-----it can lead to abuses, and the proliferation of super-infections!

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 7, 2005

It seems so often when such entities like "women's" magazines and daily shows try to cover medical issues and advice, they miss the mark so often. Misinformation is so rampant. I guess that is what "sells the story" huh? I think it's very unfair and potentially dangerous for the public, myself. I intend to read up on that Betsy Macaughy person next.