tvccrn, ASN, RN 1 Article; 762 Posts Specializes in Critical Care. Has 20 years experience. Jun 8, 2008 I wash, dry and use my paper towel to turn off the faucet and then open the door with my paper towel, tossing the towel in the trash can as I scoot out the door before it has time to close. I'm not OCD but I don't want to touch anything I know someone else has touched after they used the bathroom and didn't wash......which would be the door handle.This is the way I was taught to do it in nursing school.
BaByNuRsE07, BSN, RN 15 Posts Specializes in UM, Care Mgmt, OB, Med-Surg. Has 10 years experience. Jun 8, 2008 Okay, for this I am guilty. However........I don't wash my hands in public bathrooms for a reason. I don't know about the previous people who have touched the faucets and door handles. I use hand sanitizer that I carry in my purse for this very reason.OMG...ur the woman from the other stall that I tell all of my family/friends about-LOL. Just kidding :chuckle. I understand your rationale about not touching the faucet, etc., but after pottying, I wash my hands, turn off the faucet with the paper towel and then I use hand sanitizer after leaving the bathroom-especially if I am about to eat. I know it sounds like I have OCD and maybe I do, but the thought of putting mine or someone else's waste/germs in my mouth is absolutely sickening.At my hospital, we are taught-ad nauseum-that you use soap and water after going to the bathroom or anytime your hands are visibly soiled. Alcohol based hand sanitizer is fine in most other instances. After I assist a pt to the bathroom, I always turn on the water for them and say let me get out of your way so you can wash your hands. it's really not an option and thankfully, I've never had anyone refuse-yet. It could get ugly:no:.Our NA's are great about offering to set up the supplies for patients to bathe themselves with and giving bed baths to the others. As they are making their next rounds if the self care patients haven't bathed yet they report it to the nurse. Then it's up to me to assess the situation and intervene if necessary.
rnmomtobe2010 1,051 Posts Jun 8, 2008 This was a discussion in my disease processes class last semester. My professor who is a nurse, made the comment on how many peoplw she heard come and go and not once did she hear water running. She said she prays that they used hand sanitizer.True story: I know a girl who went to the restroom, did not wash her hands, use hand sanitizer or anything, came right out sat down at my table and ate. I had to lay down the law.
RNperdiem, RN 4,591 Posts Has 14 years experience. Jun 8, 2008 Standards of hygiene vary among people. I remember my mom describing how full bath and hairwashing was a once a week thing. With all the work it took to haul water, heat it, and carry it to the tub, full bath once a week plus daily spot washing was the norm. If I stopped bathing my kids, it would take a long time for them to complain. Baths, toothbrushing and clean clothes are what I have to insist upon.
Atheos 2,098 Posts Jun 8, 2008 Standards of hygiene vary among people. I remember my mom describing how full bath and hairwashing was a once a week thing. With all the work it took to haul water, heat it, and carry it to the tub, full bath once a week plus daily spot washing was the norm. If I stopped bathing my kids, it would take a long time for them to complain. Baths, toothbrushing and clean clothes are what I have to insist upon.Quite frankly those people were nasty. Sorry, but it's true. I spent a summer at a ranch where we 'lived' like in the old days. I made it to the 2nd day and insisted on bathing. Sure it was a little extra work but hmm not bathing is GROSS. Over 8 weeks, everyone that bathed once a week stunk, their clothing was ruined and they were dirty looking. I, however, was clean and all the happier because I spent an extra 45 minutes a day getting a bath together. Lazy lazy lazy stinky people!People used to do a whole lot of things... We must remind and educate them why they were wrong. If that doesn't work, kindly inform them that they stink and others have a right to not have to smell them.
RNperdiem, RN 4,591 Posts Has 14 years experience. Jun 8, 2008 StanleyRN2B, you are right about that. When indoor plumbing became widely available, people changed their cleanliness habits. I suspect the people the OP are talking about either feel too wretched to care about hygiene, or they have habits entrenched and resistant to change.
Atheos 2,098 Posts Jun 8, 2008 StanleyRN2B, you are right about that. When indoor plumbing became widely available, people changed their cleanliness habits. I suspect the people the OP are talking about either feel too wretched to care about hygiene, or they have habits entrenched and resistant to change.Anyone in pain I can forgive. Maybe if I was to weak to from chemo or something sure. Just feeling wretched though? Had the flu... took more showers, had 2 broken legs... was po'd cuz i couldn't take a shower...If I had surgery... well never had surgery so ok I'll forgive them too. Just being old though? Uhuh. That's the secret of being a good CNA though. Tricking (not lying or forcing) your residents into the shower. Making em think its their idea and when and if they do change their mind, the soap is already on them. :chuckle
ONEMALEPATIENT 1 Post Jun 8, 2008 I just wanted to know if it was just me, but the amount of people I assist to the bathroom that will quite happily leave without washing their hands...I often will stand at the basin, with the water running and then actually have to tell them!And how many patients either refuse a shower (I had one yesterday and I've only been in bed, how dirty can I be) but also refuse when I offer them a basin of warm water so that they can give themselves a "top and tail".And the patients that won't clean themselves properly in the shower, even though they are quite capable of it, or coat themselves in talc powder.....I have worked a couple of shifts where the powder has had to be confiscated from a pt! Maybe it is just me??I don't mind helping the people that aren't able to, but why should I wash someone's behind just because they can't be bothered? And it really really bothers me the amount that won't wash their hands after using the toilet....and then I watch them eat with those hands....APPARENTLY THEIR PARENTS NEVER TAUGHT THEM
Atheos 2,098 Posts Jun 8, 2008 APPARENTLY THEIR PARENTS NEVER TAUGHT THEMOh, they know better. How can you live in this world and not know better.
Morning-glory 258 Posts Specializes in Psych, M/S, Ortho, Float.. Has 12 years experience. Jun 8, 2008 Nothing will ever convince me to have a chocolate at work again. A few years ago, I was working on a floor just before Christmas. We had all this stuff given to us by patients and other staff. I woke up the next day feeling like I was going to die. Turns out, I (and all the other staff working that night) got the Norwalk virus. Oral-fecal route!!! When I think about how it got from somebody's butt into my mouth, it makes me sick all over again. So now, no sharing of food or treats at work, or anywhere else for that matter. Yuck!
catlynLPN 301 Posts Jun 8, 2008 Sometimes I wish I didn't even start nursing, because then I could still be blissfully ignorant of the nasty things that are lurking everywhere....I find myself thinking about who touched the hand rail before me, or the shopping trolley and did they wash their hands etc....it's kinda scary.Ain't that the truth...what do they say.."Ignorance is bliss?"
BinkieRN, BSN, RN 486 Posts Specializes in Med/Surg. Jun 8, 2008 I wash or use hand sanitizer both "before" and "after" I use the bathroom. I do not touch the door knob/handle in public restrooms however I do not shower every day but I do wash, as you say, top and tail everyday, sometimes twice a day.
