Published
Well, pretty much every healthcare facility has a policy addressing this. And the policy typically states "Just Say No"!
This is frequently discussed on AN, so if you do a search using key words, you'll likely find more information.
In a nutshell, it'd be a rare facility that would allow you to do ANYTHING to your nails other than cut and file them. Some allow nail color as long as it is kept perfectly manicured; chips allow bacteria to reside under the colored surface. And anything longer than the end of your finger is also a no-no, as germs love living under there, too.
Now, whether a facility enforces their own policy is another issue. But today, with infection control being such a HOT topic....most do.
I'm going to go with every facility has a general policy and some departments may have a stricter policy. I could wear regular nail polish only, no older than 4 days, and chip free. No gel, no acrylic. Based on AORN recommendations. This may be OR specific, not sure if it's hospital wide or if the hospital wide one is less restrictive.
In the LTC facility where I once worked there was nail designs, false nails, and long nails were allowed even though the policy stated they were not to be on the clinical staff. At the acute care facility where I currently work short no more than 1/4 inch nails are what the policy states, no false nails, may be painted in conservative colors and well manicured only. No chips, no wild designs etc. I am not sure if there is a separate policy for the OR staff.
In the LTC facility where I once worked there was nail designs, false nails, and long nails were allowed even though the policy stated they were not to be on the clinical staff. At the acute care facility where I currently work short no more than 1/4 inch nails are what the policy states, no false nails, may be painted in conservative colors and well manicured only. No chips, no wild designs etc. I am not sure if there is a separate policy for the OR staff.
Our facility has a specialized policy for the OR. In fact the surgical services infection control policy is something like over 70 pages with something like 50 pages just about the OR. It's a blessing that the policy is online and searchable within the policy (otherwise we'd never find anything). Right now, our infection control and epidemiology department allow OR and surgical services staff to have nails no longer than 1/4", and perfectly manicured polish (traditional polish or gel polish - no gel nails/acrylics) with no chips/cracks, and in a tasteful color, etc.
I have used gel polish before, and it's nice...until I try to take it off. The folks in the salon say it makes your nails stronger to seal them from outside damaging chemicals, but taking the gel polish off always made my nails seem weaker. As for traditional nail polish? I'm lucky if that lasts a day with the alcohol hand wash (regular hand sanitizer). The waterless scrub solution we can use? That stuff works really well to remove traditional nail polish (and really anything else - marker/dyes of any kind, etc). Also, my nails are rarely longer than the tip of my finger as they break too darn easily.
nf nurse
20 Posts
Does any one have a policy on nail polish and nursing staff? Also curious about nail wraps such as Jamberry wraps? I have my opinion but I'm looking for others. Thanks!!