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.
Actually my friend was telling me that at the local VA, they have a program where 2 nurses follow a doctor, watch and report everytime the MD doesn't wash his hands. By doing this they have reduced infection rates in the hopsital
OK I did not read all the replys on this thread but I have read several. I am a staff nurse in an ER in a big city. Several years ago my wife was made unit manager of a unit with about 50-60+ nurses. At first I went to manger meetings with her occassionally, often to Appleby's or Friday or some place like that. I cant remeber exactly when I got banned from these meetings, but it was becasue of some big shot manager idea like this. I think my line was, and this was to my wife's boss's boss, "So this is where all those stupid ideas I have to deal with while I am trying to take care of patients come from." dang I just cant think of exactly what the idea was but I assure you it was equally as stupid. My wife and all the other managers oooohed and aaahheed but it was soooo stupid. anyway, just so you know, the button with the hand washing question probably came from Appleby's.
OK I did not read all the replys on this thread but I have read several. I am a staff nurse in an ER in a big city. Several years ago my wife was made unit manager of a unit with about 50-60+ nurses. At first I went to manger meetings with her occassionally, often to Appleby's or Friday or some place like that. I cant remeber exactly when I got banned from these meetings, but it was becasue of some big shot manager idea like this. I think my line was, and this was to my wife's boss's boss, "So this is where all those stupid ideas I have to deal with while I am trying to take care of patients come from." dang I just cant think of exactly what the idea was but I assure you it was equally as stupid. My wife and all the other managers oooohed and aaahheed but it was soooo stupid. anyway, just so you know, the button with the hand washing question probably came from Appleby's.
I imagine it did. Have y'all ever noticed that nurses and other health care team members who are actually providing hands-on patient care NEVER come up with these ideas. Hmmmmm..... So...do you think it's because we just aren't creative enough?
Joking aside, and there are some very funny jokes on this thread, I'd refuse to wear it, furthermore, all nurses in your organization should refuse. It's an absolute insult. No doctor, therapist or other healthcare professional will wear them. Hell, I doubt housekeeping will wear them.
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.
I have to admit as well that I have not read all the responces of this thread, so if someone has already said this I am sorry and here goes, I am a former Infection Control Nurse and I did a Handwashing survey during my time, I found that Most nurses DO NOT wash there hands the way the CDC recommends and it is showing up in patients and ORs etc etc I have seen nurses answer the phone, grab a bite of food and go directly in a room and attempt to begin to change a dressing without gloves on SHE WAS STOPPED OF COURSE. :angryfire That would seem to be an extreme example but its not it happens more times than not. I personally hate the button idea, but it is the attempt of some over zealous person attempting to make handwashing percentage come up, that is better done with showing nurses the facts, reminding and signs and one on one with known offenders it can take a 28% rate to 96 or higher if you do it in a professional and informative non-insulting way, we are very busy people and sometime we just need to be reminded. The 10 top reasons patients get hospital acquired infections are connected to your hands and thats a FACT. Sorry its still in me I can't help my self. :rotfl:
I don't know how others practice being professional.
I find that starting about day 2 into a string of shifts, I have to ask housekeeping to replace the soap and alcohol based hand wash dispenser around my patient care areas.
I'm a professional. I would be insulted and resentful of being told I needed to be reminded of my professionalism.
Reminds me of a song by tesla: 'Signs, signs, everywhere signs, blocking up the scenery, breaking my mind . . ."
~faith,
Timothy.
My button will read: "Ask me if I'm the only one old enough to remember that 'Signs' was by the Five Man Electrical Band, and that Tesla's version was a remake."
I have seen nurses answer the phone, grab a bite of food and go directly in a room and attempt to begin to change a dressing without gloves on SHE WAS STOPPED OF COURSE. :angryfire :
I have to admit as well that I have not read all the responces of this thread, so if someone has already said this I am sorry and here goes, I am a former Infection Control Nurse and I did a Handwashing survey during my time, I found that Most nurses DO NOT wash there hands the way the CDC recommends and it is showing up in patients and ORs etc etc I have seen nurses answer the phone, grab a bite of food and go directly in a room and attempt to begin to change a dressing without gloves on SHE WAS STOPPED OF COURSE. :angryfire That would seem to be an extreme example but its not it happens more times than not. I personally hate the button idea, but it is the attempt of some over zealous person attempting to make handwashing percentage come up, that is better done with showing nurses the facts, reminding and signs and one on one with known offenders it can take a 28% rate to 96 or higher if you do it in a professional and informative non-insulting way, we are very busy people and sometime we just need to be reminded. The 10 top reasons patients get hospital acquired infections are connected to your hands and thats a FACT. Sorry its still in me I can't help my self. :rotfl:
You know what would really improve rates of handwashing and infection control?
Proper staffing, so nurses have time to properly wash their hands.
Personally, I use a clippy that holds a small bottle of
Purel onto the neck of my scrub top. I refill it QD.
I personally hate the button idea,
pghfoxfan
221 Posts
How bout "Ask me if my hemorrhoids are itching"