Hospital Related Infections
Hospital related infections are alive and well in the Health field. There isn’t a lot the patient can do other than ask every caregiver to use the hand sanitizer when coming into the room. Hospital related infections are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Hospitals must be held accountable and they must take steps for prevention.
Hospital related infections are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. This is surprising to most people. We go to the hospitals to get well not to die, nevertheless the infections will continue unless something is done to prevent it. Thousands more will die needlessly unless change is made to happen. Something must be done to make hospitals take action.
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The main reason for these infections is bacteria that can cause methicillin-resitant-Staphylococcus aureus to become resistant to antibiotics that are used to treat regular staph infections. The bacteria can survive on hospital surfaces for months and on a caregivers hands for hours. Another reason is that everyone who works in a hospital doesn’t use hand sanitizers conscientiously. Still another reason is hand sanitizers used by hospitals aren’t always effective.
To add to the problem, even if hospitals could be sanitized, people are moving in and out of hospitals constantly. Contamination is carried in on shoes, clothes, cell phones and every conceivable object to every corner of the hospital. Keeping all danger out isn’t possible but some changes can be made that will lessen the danger. Manufactures must be pressured into making better sanitizers. Hospitals must only purchase effective sanitizers and they must be sure all personnel is aware of the necessity of using them. All personnel must change into clean scrubs every day and more often if necessary.
You can’t control what you wont acknowledge. Hospitals must be required to report all hospital related infections and act on the information. How hospital infections are reported is far from ideal. There is no single test to say the patient has a hospital associated infection. Studies show the best way is to rely on a staff trained to apply standard definitions.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed standard definitions for identifying these infections. They provide training on how to apply them plus financial and technical help to state health departments to check for accuracy. They also maintain a system for reporting hospital related infections, called the National Healthcare Safety Network. 24 States have passed laws requiring its use.
Some former and future patients say it’s not enough for health facilities to have access to information monitoring hospital related infections but this information should also be available to the public. Starting this fall, hospital related infection information from most hospitals will be available at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.
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The Soul Explorer | Jun 29, 2011 | Reply
Hi Ruby, thank you for this article. It explained well.
Canadamom | Jun 29, 2011 | Reply
Great article. It is hard for hosptials but it causes worry for patients too. If you are sick already you have the added worry of catching further infections and diseases. I am not sure if they will ever be able to prevent this but hopefully they will think of something in the future
dixie1965 | Jun 29, 2011 | Reply
this is so true i have known people who have gotten sick after leaving the hospital
Borhan | Jun 29, 2011 | Reply
Nice share, Ruby.
iamhanifah | Jun 29, 2011 | Reply
nice shared….
pattiann | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Very, very good. You always know how to capture a suject perfectly.
Crissleigh | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Great article. Most people wouldn’t believe that hospitals are one of dirtiest (germ wise) places you can go. Hand sanatizer is great in a pinch but I prefer that the staff wash with soap and hot water first then use hand sanitizer. Most people do not know that it is only 99.9% effective if you wash your hands first. I also prefer that they use gloves but I am a germ a phobe. Yes I am the person that will ask the staf to wash their hands before they touch me lol. But my mom is a nurse so I know what germs are floating around in the hospital prefer not to ge any of them. Great job on this one Ruby.
Hettie | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Great aarticle Ruby, thank you.
Ade New | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
great article
dino renaldo | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
i like this post.thanks
chandrra | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Good info
yes me | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
I think it is a global thing Ruby, to much use of antibiotics, the body don’t need as often as some doctors give them out like candy… I can’t remember the last dose of anti bi’s I have taken, and I cut my self regular, scrape, pierce, jag, scratch, bumps, lumps, Sheeeiks I even once had mumps ha ha ha cheers Ruby I even ended up with a mouth full of render, 16 feet up a ladder the other day ha ha ha
megamatt09 | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Lots of things that can go wrong.
chitragopi | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
This true everywhere. I had a fungal infection after my hospitalization which took a long time to cure.
martie | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
I agree more needs to be done. After all most people in the hospital are already in a weakened condition they simply don’t need to get sicker from things that could be avoided.
markmagas | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
I have also seen reports that doctors white coats and ties are a major problem but the doctors refuse to give up their signs of status.
LoveDoctor | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Caregivers need to make sure that they wash their hands several times during the day. There is a lot of bacteria especially in the public restrooms and door knobs. Also, some of the patients are already sick by the time they’re admitted to the hospital. It’s important to strengthen your immune system by taking Vitamin C and drinking lots of OJ.
Brenda Nelson | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
For sure this is something people need to be aware of. Kinda concerning too.
Jimmy Shilaho | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
I thought this was just an African problem.
juliachild | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
great share
Judy Kaelin | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Good information, Ruby – Makes me want to be even more careful when visiting patients.
Shirley Shuler | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Thanks for the information Ruby. This is good to know.
Tulan | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
It’s terrible, I have a friend who contacted an infection in the hospital that has eaten a hole in her back. she’s back in the hospital now. It’s eaten to the bone and I don’t know if it will ever heal.
lapasan | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
It is ironic that people instead of being treated get infection from hospitals. Actions should be taken to pressure hospitals to come up with effective sanitation measures.
PR Mace | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
You know I work in a local hospital and I see this everyday on the job. You researched this well. I get so upset when people bring little babies to see their family. They just don’t realize how dangerous it is for them.
Linda Lori | Jul 1, 2011 | Reply
Wonderful article, Ruby. I’m a medical transcriptionist and I do come across these scenarios regularly. It’s a scary situation for sure!