Long hair at the bedside

[kakamegamama]

I have a question. Have things changed in hospitals at the bedside to the point that nurses who have waist length hair are no longer required to have it in a pony tail or braid or bun? A few weeks ago my husband had a procedure done in the GI lab. One of the nurses came into the waiting room to call the next patient back into the patient admit area and her hair was long enough she could sit on it, and not restrained in any way. All I could think of was "yuck" and "fomite!". I wanted to run up to her and give her my infection control talk, but didn't....maybe I should have...

[kakamegamama]

I have hair down to my waist and yes I keep it up at all times on the floor. Not really enforced but I dont want God knows what sticking in my hair

If I had long hair, I wouldn't either! I can only imagine what could end up in there!

[kakamegamama]

Ok, not to start a religious debate, just evidence based best practice.

1st.... I wish I could grow long hair like that, but I'm an old " COB"... and our hair tends to thin and not grow as fast..... sorry I digress...

Best practice is for hair be off shoulders, pulled back in poney tail or bun...

Please don't make me break out my "cap" and white clinic shoes......

Indeed! White hose, white shoes, white cap! (I wonder if these young whippersnappers even know of which we speak?)

[kakamegamama]

Trimming his chest length upside down triangle shaped beard.

If not trimmed, is it braided I wonder?

[kakamegamama]

Agree with all, I'm hoping maybe she was a CNA who's only patient care contact was bringing them back to their beds and getting vitals. Still the hair should be off the shoulders.

Well, she was at least a LVN----no CNAs on that unit.

[kakamegamama]

That was my concern-cross contamination.

[kakamegamama]

I think it's nasty to not pin up your hair in our line of work. It's just as gross as having long artificial nails.

I remember having a NP precept some students once....her nails were over .5 inches long....in an OB triage unit......

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I remember having a NP precept some students once....her nails were over .5 inches long....in an OB triage unit......

**clutches the pearls** Ew.... and to your original question... that's disgusting too.

[kakamegamama]

She came out to the waiting area to call the next patient back for a procedure. She wasn't actively providing care. I can put my hair up on 30 seconds in my sleep. Your clip or pony tail pulls down. So most will take their hair down off and on to adjust the weight or position of the hair on their head for comfort. Also most procedures require the staff to wear a surgical cap. Seems like she would be securing her hair up prior to patient care.

Well, the fact that she was in a patient care area with her hair down to her waist is disturbing as the way it is there the ones that call the patient back are the ones who admit them/start IVs, etc., before the procedures.

[TheEternalOptimist]

And for us. No false nails or varnish, no 'non black non leather footwear' and hair must be above shoulder line / neckline. We have frequent visits my management re: this aspect and of uniform rules.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

We need Davey Do input on this ( grins)

No we don't. (wink) LOL I like Davey. Just kidding!!!

[kakamegamama]

Are you sure she was a nurse? GI labs utilize other staff, so she might not have been someone who participates in the procedures.

Yes, she was a nurse.

[Liza50]

Amen! Common sense!