Bugs (micro-organisms) are widespread in hospitals
Hand Hygiene practices have been universally poor among health care
workers.
Observational studies of Hand Hygiene adherence of health care
workers to recommended Hand Hygiene opportunities has been poor,
with mean baseline rates of 5%-81%. Overall, average Hand
Hygiene compliance was 40%. Some types of health care workers
are better than others at washing their hands.
Why is Hand Hygiene so poor in health
care settings?
Heavy workloads – the busier you are the more likely
you are not to wash your hands.
Time consuming – there just isn’t time to wash
your hands as often as you need to if using traditional Hand
Hygiene techniques. A faster method of Hand Hygiene is likely
to improve compliance
Hands don’t appear dirty – Bugs are there even
though you can’t see them!
Problems of skin irritation – frequent washing with
soap and water removes skin lipids and in some health care
workers causes dryness, skin irritation and damaged skin.
Sinks poorly located – if it’s hard to get to
a sink you are less likely to use it.
Hospital-acquired
infections cause human suffering and increased health costs.
Bugs that cause infections are frequently spread between patients
on the hands of health care workers and shared patient equipment.
Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) often referred
to, as “Golden Staph” is responsible for many hospital-acquired
infections in Australia.
The high rate of MRSA has led to the overuse of antibiotics
like vancomycin. This has driven the emergence of vancomycin resistant
enterococci (VRE) and other resistant pathogens.
MRSA is not the only problem; there are many other strains of
antibiotic resistant “superbugs” in Australian hospitals.
However the procedures that reduce the rate of MRSA infections
also reduce infections from other organisms.
Beware of superbugs!!
DeBug™ Infection Prevention Program promotes:
Effective Hand Hygiene practices
Decontamination of shared patient equipment
Selected use of mupirocin and triclosan (anti-staphylococcal
nasal ointment and body wash)
