No gloves ever?!?

Nurses Safety

Published

So I'm in my last rotation of nursing school and I followed a nurse in CVICU today. Well from the getgo he mentioned he's "old school" and that's fine with me. In fact I get excited when I hear that as I figure I'll learn a lot. Well... While this nurse let me do almost everything and I completely appreciate that experience, he didn't wear a pair of gloves the whole day. I watched him do peg meds, draw blood, suction, and clean a diarrhea bottom (touching testicles and all) WITHOUT gloves. I got excited at one point cause he pulled a pair of gloves out BUT THEN he handed them to me, none for him. In fact, when cleaning the poop he said "yeah, I know im being naughty." So, I thought that if he doesn't use gloves then he must scrub his hands. Nope, 5 second rinse, no lather...that's it. I was shocked....

Needless to say...didn't shake his hand at the end of the day.

Seriously?! You got into this profession, you need to wear gloves and wash your hands between each patient. It is not "COOL" or "NEW WAVE" or "SOLDIER" to not wear gloves and wash the hands, it's absolutely unsafe and disregarding personal and patient safety.

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Specializes in Mixed ICU, OHU.

thats disgusting... total disregard for lets say the cancer patient down the hall bc he didnt realize the new pt had c diff

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

EWWWW!!!:barf01:His practices are not only hazardous to himself but to the patients he takes care of!! He is a walking vector of infection!! I cannot believe he does not stop to think of the effect he is having not on himself but all the other patients and things he is touching throughout the day. A 5 second rinse is not effective at removing fecal matter and infection off your hands. I would definately report him, if IDPH was there they would have a field day with this guy. Old school is one thing but not following standard precautions is another. He may be used to practicing in his old ways but new information about diseases and transmission has been discovered since he was trained. It is his obligation as a professional to follow the rules to prevent endangerment to his patients, fellow co-workers and himself!:hdvwl:

I wouldn't "shake his hand" either!:lol2:

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So I'm in my last rotation of nursing school and I followed a nurse in CVICU today. Well from the getgo he mentioned he's "old school" and that's fine with me. In fact I get excited when I hear that as I figure I'll learn a lot. Well... While this nurse let me do almost everything and I completely appreciate that experience, he didn't wear a pair of gloves the whole day. I watched him do peg meds, draw blood, suction, and clean a diarrhea bottom (touching testicles and all) WITHOUT gloves. I got excited at one point cause he pulled a pair of gloves out BUT THEN he handed them to me, none for him. In fact, when cleaning the poop he said "yeah, I know im being naughty." So, I thought that if he doesn't use gloves then he must scrub his hands. Nope, 5 second rinse, no lather...that's it. I was shocked....

Needless to say...didn't shake his hand at the end of the day.

When he stated, "yeah, I know im being naughty" I would have stated, "No, you're being nasty. Who is your Infection Control Nurse/Coordinator"?

Now, I totally understand that you may have felt you couldn't say that because you're a student and that may get you in trouble with your Instructor and the facility, however do not feel like you can't say that when you get your license!

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Please go to cdc.gov and osha.gov for the proper recommendations for the use of PPE's (gloves). You may be very surprised.

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