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.
Everyone is entitle to complain all they wish. My comment was aimed at the fact that complaining about a stupid button is a waste of time and energy, even on your own dime. My point was, and it has been supported by research, that frequently ALL STAFF fail to wash their hands. And pass infections from one to the next patient. Sorry if I have offended anyone but I will continue to ask anyone, when hospitalized, if they have washed their hands. And if they feel insulted, it is their problem. I do not wish to spend anytime, more then necessary, in the hospital. And I certainly do not wish to pick up an oppotunistic infection because someone failed to wash their hands. My PCP knows better then to approach me, without first washing his hands. And he knows why.
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.
We also were asked to where these same buttons. They even started tracking how many bottles of soap and antibacterial wash we were going through. Now I was insulted by that!!
I wore my button for maybe 2 days and then started to forget it. Everybody else basically did the same thing. You hardly see them now except for a few people. A few of our doctors wore them but they were hospitalists and were also required. Hang in there. My feeling is what are they going to do write you up for not wearing them.
We were given these pins too. Basically everyone threw them away. Maybe they should use the money spent on these pins on actually hiring more staff, or better equipment. Plus how many of your patients actually wash their hands....
RE: Ask me if I've washed my hands...... How absolutely ridiculous!! Just another way that ADMINISTRATION has,of "being in control", belittling one of their most important assets,and acting like the kings and queens they think they are!! Does NURS ADMIN ever support their staff,say "thanks",or just ask how are things going?? Haven't seen it in a long time,and sadly,don't expect too.
Where are you? This sounds like something the ED mgr at my last place of employment would come up with. She spends more time on silly campaigns like this than on important issues.
I'm in upstate NY. After a week of this blasted campaign, I've seen very few staff wearing the button. We seem to be in agreement on the demeaning nature of it all.
Again, I have no problem with posters/info in the halls and patient rooms reminding EVERYONE the importance of hand hygiene. When I greet a patient/visitor who is new to me, (after washing my hands, of course) I remind them, "Flu season is upon us. Please use the foam hand sanitizer on the wall or wash your hands often before touching the baby."
ETA: Timothy, want to come and work OB in upstate NY? Please?
Reminds me of TGIFridays. I'm looking for suspenders and a wacky cap to sport my pins. Sometimes, I spring the pin off the back and use it as a coaster for my Pepsi can. Have fun with it.:beer:
Not to change the subject from handwashing, but back to the button thing............
We were given buttons a few years back and told we had to wear them. They said BMG with a red circle around and red slash thru the letters.
We were told they stood for 'no Bi**hin', moanin', or groanin' " They hired a company to come up with this. The same company came up with the idea to make a fake train engine out of cardboard and had the directors of all the different departments urging us to all "get on board!" They had little conductor hats on. My reaction?.....what the ? what are they talking about?!
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How come the hospital can afford to spend this much money for this c***, but they can't afford raises, equipment, staff, etc.,
Our lovely administration spends up to $50,000 a a year on a "Morality survey. Each year they get back the same answers, but they do not make any effort to improve conditions that have been listed in the survey.
Our latest and greatest scheme is...while we are washing our hands, we are to say..."I am washing my hands an das soon as I am done, I will help you with what you need." We also have to say, "I closed the door to provide your privacy while I help you." That, along with asking the patient their name and birthdate every time we go in the room...I'm going to be so busy remembering all of that, I might forget to do whatever I am going in the room to do!
I understand the name and birthdate thing before we give meds, do procedures, etc, but once I've done it, I doubt that the patient is going to change rooms just to mess with my mind...once I have verified their identity with the questions and checking their name band, we should be good to go.
The handwashing and door closing thing apparently came from some patient complaints...now, even though they can see us washing our hands and see that the door is claosed, we have to follow the script, to remeind them that we are washing our hands and closing the door...sigh.
grannynurse FNP student
1,016 Posts
Everyone is entitle to complain all they wish. My comment was aimed at the fact that complaining about a stupid button is a waste of time and energy, even on your own dime. My point was, and it has been supported by research, that frequently ALL STAFF fail to wash their hands. And pass infections from one to the next patient. Sorry if I have offended anyone but I will continue to ask anyone, when hospitalized, if they have washed their hands. And if they feel insulted, it is their problem. I do not wish to spend anytime, more then necessary, in the hospital. And I certainly do not wish to pick up an oppotunistic infection because someone failed to wash their hands. My PCP knows better then to approach me, without first washing his hands. And he knows why.
Grannynurse :balloons: