Should I wash my hands before I pee????

[Misslady113]

I work in a nursing home. We all know that we should wash our hands before we eat or put our hands in our mouth, eyes, or nose. But I'm wondering can we catch something from wiping ourselves when using the bathroom. Can bacteria\viruses travel into the body through the lady parts? No, I dont wipe myself with my bare hands, but sometimes the hands may touch that area when wiping. Should I wash my hands before I pee? I hope this is not considered asking for medical advise, its just a question about practices in the workplace.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Hu? Use the bathroom on a shift? Who gets to do that?!..kidding..

I always wash my hands before using the bathroom. I can't be 100% positive that the person that entered that bathroom using the door knob washed their hands before touching that door knob. I wonder if some of the staff even wash their hands at all during their shift..I'd rather not take those "germies" into the restroom with me :)

[TigerGalLE, BSN, RN]

I usually try to wash before I use the restroom. It depends on how bad I have to go. In my unit there is 1 bathroom to share between 2 ICUs and then of course all the ancillary staff use it also. 75% of the time someone is in the bathroom and you can't go when you want to go. So, sometimes I just can't make it to wash my hands, but I usually try. That being said, I am usually very good about washing my hands after patient care because the antibacterial gel eats my hands up.... So I provide care, gel, then wash. But yea I'm sure the door knob is gross ect ect... Oh well

[missdeevah, NP]

i always wash my hands before and after using the restroom at work, and at restaurants. far too many people use the bathroom and don't wash their hands. the only place that i don't do this is at home. i don't think that washing hands after leaving a pt's room is enough, imho. because this does not address the issue of the doorknobs in the bathroom. but then again, i am just a tad bit germophobic

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I was advised to do so by my GP,a urologist and an ID after I contracted a MRSA UTI while working on a secure dementia unit. Make it a habit-

[Turtle in scrubs]

Absolutely!

At work this is when I do my most aggressive hand washing - washing off many layers of hand gel. After I'm done I grab a little hand gel and I'm on my way. I'm sure it confuses people waiting. Hearing the water running and thinking I'm just about done, or not hearing me was my hands before I leave. But it works best for me. Happy washing :)

[jakolbfleisch]

I really think this falls into... If you have to ask you know the answer

[Kim, HHRN]

Glad you asked, I myself wonder how many ppl do wash before. I always do but wondered if I was taking things a bit too far. Thought I might be OCD or something. From reading the posts, guess I'm not...lol.

[jmtndl]

Why not?

[talaxandra]

At work I always alcohol rub before entering the bathroom; anywhere except home I wash after I flush, and use a piece of paper towel when entering/locking/unlocking & exiting - I never trust that those who've gone before me have even rudimentary hygeine!

[hecallsmeDuchess]

I always wash my hands before and after using the bathroom (at work, in church, in school, and anywhere else that is not my home). I also Caviwipe my ID, my penlight, any pens I plan on taking home with me and I also spray my sneakers with a disinfectant spray before I step in my car; maybe mine is an overkill but I'm a germophobe like that. :)

[EmilyCCRN]

Ewwww....for me it's alcohol foam at the very least before I use the restroom at work. And I wash my hands first thing when I get home. Hospitals (and grocery stores, etc.) are dirty! (Okay, I might have a germ problem, I admit it! LOL)

[yoshiki56]

Yes, i wash my hand before i use bathroom. That's one of funny post in the bathroom wall. Nurses wash their hand before and after use of the bathroom.