I had a MRSA patient, and really nice woman yesterday. The hand sanitizer was empty in her room, so as I headed over to the sink, she said "Oh yeah, it's empty, I know because I was using it myself". I was busy, so didn't immediately get around to call housekeeping to put a full one there. Next time I was in the room I did the same thing, and she reminded it me it was empty. She was a good natured woman of 60.
She informed me that she had observed more than one staff member pretend to sanitize their hands and not go to the sink to wash when the dispenser was empty, not realizing that the patient was on to them.
I found that pretty disconcerting. She was a MRSA patient!!!
I actually prefer good ole' soap and water to the hand sanitizers. Sounds like the patient was very forgiving of the fake hand cleaners. Other patients may not be so kind.
Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.
Dusk,
Well then, they need to be in that patient's room. They also need to discuss the situation (handwashing) with the nurses on the unit and the housekeeping dept. (just my .02) And I hope to God this does not result in another stupid check list!!!
Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..
Excuse me but I am confused.... I thought we removed gown, mask, gloves in the room - then washed our hands for the required time (twinkle, twinkle little star, etc.)... then, after leaving the room use the hand sanitizer outside the patient's room? I swear I was in class the day they taught hand washing!!!!
My complaint about MRSA patients is with their families: I have made a pain of myself with visitors over and over and over by reminding them that the masks and gloves are disposed of (as well as the gowns) IN THE ROOM; they must wash their hands before leaving the room and this is why:
Visitor A goes into MRSA room and comes out, leaves accessories/souvenirs (aka gown,gloves,mask) in the nearest basket or on my chair (really rattles my chain to see that) then goes unwashed hands to visitor's lounge where they sit on the couch or put their hands on the arm chairs arms - now, bear with me - Visitor B arrives in lounge to visit mother who is recovering from abd surgery.... sits in chair, puts hands on chair arms and voila! now has MRSA to carry into Momma's room ... hugs and kisses Momma and let me look at your belly...ohhh that looks like it hurts.... let me help you pull your gown back down over your sutured, open-to-air wound....
Visitor B arrives 3 days later and guess what??? Momma has MRSA in her wound!
The moral of the story: are we using the disinfectant to replace hand-washing? I hope not!! I thought it was an additional barrier.
At my hospital we have both available in the room and we can choose either. We are to used soap and water if we actually get something visable on our hands, or if it's a C-Diff patient.
People have come to totally rely on hand sanitizer because it's quicker. We have dispensers both in the room and in the halls. I suspect the people in question were planning to sanitize in the hall, but that means they would be touching to door knob with unsanitized hands, which in the case of MRSA is a definate no no.
At my hospital we have both available in the room and we can choose either. We are to used soap and water if we actually get something visable on our hands, or if it's a C-Diff patient.
People have come to totally rely on hand sanitizer because it's quicker. We have dispensers both in the room and in the halls. I suspect the people in question were planning to sanitize in the hall, but that means they would be touching to door knob with unsanitized hands, which in the case of MRSA is a definate no no.
I was always told that hand sanitizer is not as effective as soap and water anyway... it may say it kills 99.9, but that's only on surfaces it touches. You figure there is the nail beds, underneath the nails and what if you're not using the proper amount of sanitizer? I dunno... I think washing your hands then using hand sanitizer outside the room and maybe some lotion to prevent dry skin (to prevent cracking) is the best route.
My hospital says that except for c-dif that the hand sanitizer is more effective than soap and water except where c-dif is the bug. Of course with visible soil we are to wash and sanitize. Just heard it inorientation today. We were also taught that in nursing school.
My hospital says that except for c-dif that the hand sanitizer is more effective than soap and water . Of course with visible soil we are to wash and sanitize. Just heard it inorientation today. We were also taught that in nursing school.
Hand washing is the preferred method of cleaning our hands with MRSA patients. There is evidence that the hand sanitizer dries too quickly to kill all the nasty MRSA bugs.
Relax, MRSA is a myth started by the government so medicare/aide won'y have to pay out for hospital "mistakes". Ya know a myth, just like global warming!:uhoh21:
Seriously, was'nt there a thread started by a micro prof. about the use of microbiology in the everyday clinical seting? I hope he is reading this.
Proper use of the hand sanitizers is often more effective than soap and water. Proper use includes using the correct amount and rubbing the hands together until the product is completely dry on the skin, usually 15-20 seconds if a sufficient amount is used. Of course the hand sanitizers are not to be used for c-diff or suspected c-diff patients. In those instances soap and water are recommended.
Keepstanding, ASN, RN
1,600 Posts
I actually prefer good ole' soap and water to the hand sanitizers. Sounds like the patient was very forgiving of the fake hand cleaners. Other patients may not be so kind.