Is it very important for patients and nurses to wash hands in the nursing home ?

Emilynn09 · Mar 28, 2011

Handwashing IS that important. They can't force the patients to wash their hands but there is no excuse for the nurses not to be washing their hands between patients. That's just disgusting!

GraduAgent · Mar 28, 2011

[color=dimgray]it's just lack of education and awareness. unfortunately codes differ between hospitals and some nursing homes.

anonymousstudent · Mar 28, 2011

Any time you have people living that close together the opportunity for organisms to spread is very high. Residents should wash their hands, but if they don't that's their choice - they should still be encouraged too. But a nurse or PCA? That's unacceptable.

Despareux · Mar 28, 2011

Isn't hand hygiene one of the first [and most basic] lessons a nursing student learns in school?

blackandyellow · Mar 28, 2011

Residents should be encouraged to wash their hands. UTI's are common in nursing homes and other infections such as cdiff can spread quickly. Staff of course should wash their hands or at least put sanitizer on as long as they weren't in a room with cdiff. Thing's spread quickly and an elderly person and UTI's usually dont mix well together.

KareBear0609 · Mar 28, 2011

I think nurses and CNA's think the instant hand sanitizer stations on the wall is sufficient enough and they don't feel the need to wash their hands. I've seen nurses and CNA's go through their entire shift without ever washing their hands. Hand sanitizer is acceptable in some cases, but hand washing is essential in all health care settings.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 31, 2011

Working in LTC I can tell you with hand on heart that my facility promotes hand cleaning ie washing hands over using alcohol gel. Alcohol gel is available everywhere and everyone, clients, staff and visitors use it if desired after hand washing