Unsanitary practice?

[GraceNotes]

I work in a pediatric clinic where patients and staff are routinely exposed to fecal matter and blood. We have expanded, and the "new" exam room has no sink. I've been vocal about the limitations of alcohol-based hand cleaners and the need for a sink to no avail; I've been told to stop talking about it. Any similar situations out there?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

When we were remodeling our facility we were requires by the health department to have at least one sink in each or outside of each room.

[leslie :-D]

When we were remodeling our facility we were requires by the health department to have at least one sink in each or outside of each room.

i was JUST going to post/suggest that an anonymous call be made to dept of health, and see what they think.

i find it to be disgusting and dangerous.

leslie

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I would wonder if they "pulled a permit".

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

This is disgusting! I have worked in several offices and always had a sink. As a patient I would grossed out.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Hmmmmm and don't some of the surveys that people do ask about "if your health care provider washed their hands"? In any event, what does your infection control nurse think of this? I would ask her/him.......

[Vespertinas]

It doesn't matter whether alcohol based handrubs kill c.diff or not. If your hands are visibly soiled from anything, you must first rinse them with soap and water per every policy I've read on handwashing. A hand rub doesn't remove debris from hands nor can it penetrate through layers of organic matter. It's meant to sanitize the outer layer of your skin, that is all.

[texasmum]

I am with the others. Mind immediately goes to C-diff! And I personally prefer to wash my hands anyway when I can. I just don't like the alcohol based cleaner.

[lkulmann]

Is there a sink available at all?

If not in the examining room, then somewhere you can wash you hands?

If there is a sink, then use it, and stop complaining. In the world of office politics, if you have actually been told to stop complaining about something, consider it a warning. You have spoken and they have heard.

Also in the office politics world: have you been complaining about this problem to a person who is in a position to do something about your problem? Do you have clout/position/power? How much would it cost to have a sink installed?

This is the worst advice yet. Are you serious? Let's just think about this a second. Okay...a nurse has been in a contact precaution room for cdiff. The nurse doffs the gown and gloves in the room TOUCHES the door knob, TOUCHES the door knob to close the door, walks around to the next available room with a sink. TOUCHES that door knob and the sink faucet and on and on...and the only way to resolve this infection control issue is if the nurse has clout? What happened to telling the nurse manager to take care of the INFECTION CONTROL issue? How much does it cost for a sink!?

Shut The Front Door.....!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Are you not wearing gloves? If you are then they will be contaminated and you can shed them and then sanitize and then go wash. Do you see much C-diff in a peds office? Maybe you could get them to only use that exam room for non diarrhea/diaper cases? Just some ideas. Ideally of course you would have a sink, but you have to deal with reality that is way less than ideal sometimes people!

Ok, let me have it!

[Aliakey]

Hmmmmm and don't some of the surveys that people do ask about "if your health care provider washed their hands"? In any event, what does your infection control nurse think of this? I would ask her/him.......

Absolutely. I just filled out my Press Ganey survey a week ago since I was recently hospitalized. I definitely remember the washing hands question... and it wasn't asking if the healthcare provider used a waterless cleaner, but if they "washed" their hands. That question kinda stuck with me for that reason.

The hospital room I was in (med surg floor) had two sinks... one in the bathroom, and one just across from the bed. And the nurses, nurse practitioner, and patient care technicians all washed their hands as soon as they entered the room. Can't say the same for two of the physicians.

[Vespertinas]

Folks, this is a pediatric clinic. I can't say for sure but I don't imagine there's a lot of c.diff going around so I don't think that would be a strong angle for OP to take when making her case for a sink.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

There is everything in a Peds clinic. I have seen PLENTY of CDiff, RSV, Influenza, Rotavirus, Lice, Scabies, HIV acquired infections, etc. I want a sink no more than 5 feet away, and I sure as hell better not have to open any doors/ walk down any halls to get to one.