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?

[mattcastens]

I dunno -- I don't think it's terribly rude, but perhaps a better way might be to simply ask your caregivers if they've washed their hands. It seems a little "warmer" than a big sign.

[WashYaHands]

I don't know if I'd put up a sign, but you could observe people who enter your room. If they don't wash their hands before they touch you, politely ask them to do so. But, that's just my opinion.

Linda

[pebbles, BSN, RN]

A little condescending, perhaps.

I personally would not be offended - I'd just reassure you that I always wash my hands between patients anyway. No big deal.

I roll my eyes and grit my teeth but smile anyway when patients try to tell me how to do my job - especially the basics. (There is a difference between telling me how to best care for you specificallyand telling me how to do my job, imo.)

[SmilingBluEyes]

Well , given the horrendous nosocomial infection rates in hospitals and the complications they bring about--- not to mention humongous costs to patients , I would see why you want to do this!. My mom noticed caregivers were NOT washing their hands when she was in the hospital with pancreatitis for 6 weeks. I told her to demand they do. Also, when my gramps was dying of cancer, people were never washing their hands either, like they figured he was "on the way out" so why bother ? I reminded them to in very kind and diplomatic words and afterward, everyone complied.

You could try asking politely that all who enter please wash their hands; if they do not, call em on it very strongly. The sign may actually put some off, I am afraid, but your intentions and concerns are definately warranted. You know who I see the BIGGEST offenders are after all? DOCTORS! Too bad, we have to be concerned over such a basic thing like caregivers washing their hands, at all. I wish you well and a speedy recovery in your upcoming surgery!

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

How about some antibacterial gel next to your bed? You could offer it to all who enter. "No, really, I insist!"

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

Bring your own good-smelling, handy pump bottle of antibacterial soap, and set it on the sink in your bathroom. Anyone who comes in and doesn't wash their hands before touching you or your things, say "hey! I brought this great soap with me! Try it and see if you like it. I'm taking a poll. It's not supposed to be very drying either, so you can use it over and over without chapping." AND SMILE!

[delirium]

Originally posted by ceecel.dee

Bring your own good-smelling, handy pump bottle of antibacterial soap, and set it on the sink in your bathroom. Anyone who comes in and doesn't wash their hands before touching you or your things, say "hey! I brought this great soap with me! Try it and see if you like it. I'm taking a poll. It's not supposed to be very drying either, so you can use it over and over without chapping." AND SMILE!

I think this is a great idea.

This would get your point across in a nice way, and some nurses (and other professionals) would get the chance to use a great-smelling soap for a change.

Much better than a sign, in my opinion.

My mom always says: you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

[JailRN]

How about the sigh reading, "Got clean hands?"

[boggle, ASN, RN]

I'm a bit of a handwashing/ antibacterial gel fanatic. BUT just because the patient doesn't see me handwashing/gellling, doesn't mean it wasn't done.

There are other places to wash hands outside of the patient's bathroom that I prefer to use. (patient's bathroom faucets splash too much, and I in there amid all of their personal stuff)

I have my own handgel on my workstation in the hall.

CDC has come out strongly in favor of the handgels- more effective than handwashing in many areas. Check out their recent recommendations for healthcare workers!!!!

SHAVSHA, I vote for you both asking caregivers to wash their hands and offering them a pump or two of your handgel. Bring a BIG bottle and post a BIG note on it asking folks to "please use, I insist!"

I hope all goes well with your surgery. How about letting us know how it went with the handwashing issue!? You could do a study.

Hey that's another idea.....Tell your caregivers you are part of a study of handwashing/gel use for a "technical nursing organization". ( we are technical aren't we?).

Take notes!!

[maizey]

I'd either bring my own as was suggested and offer to them or I'd watch and if they did not wash their hands before touching me I would ask politely "have you washed your hands"? I always wash my hands prior to and after touching a patient but some nurses prefer to do it at the work stations which is okay too. So, just because you don't see them do it does not necessarily mean they did not. But, I would not be offended if you asked me.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Post the Sign