Are you aware of what you are touching prior to your patients central line change or performing an assessment of your patient?
Just because your gloves look clean are they really clean or are they being a carrier and transporter for germs? Check out this patients experience and what she had to say.
So when I heard about this story I was curious to know what lies where? Being a previous safety nurse, I was able to get someone from infection control to go into a patients room to do a survey regarding the number of cells that are on a specific object. Unfortunately, the source of the cells are unknown but the higher the cell count the greater chances it being bacteria. Here is what I found (keep in mind the average general cell count is between 2-300 cells):
*The outside of a side rail carries approximately 7,737 cells
*Bathroom door handle approximately 4,525 cells
*Blood pressure cuff approximately 3,222 cells
*Bedside table approximately 1,650 cells
*Keyboard approximately 1,086 cells
*Medication cabinet drawer approximately 672 cells
*Medication Alaris pump approximately 574 cells
Pretty disturbing huh? So now what? Check out this article on appropriate glove use in the prevention of cross-contamination.
Even with daily cleaning, cells still hang around. Could Copper be the solution to our troubles?
Well until studies prove it true and hospitals convert to this new bacteria fighting soulution...
Be mindful of your hand hygiene when in the patients room.
Be sure to frequently change gloves when in the patients room especially after leaving the patients bathroom.
Especially especially change gloves before touching the patients central line. Like the patient said "I would hate to get a blood stream infection because my line was contaminated!"
And the most obvious change gloves when they are visibly soiled.
So even though your gloves look clean, it could be a carrier of germs that could potentially harm your patient.
Changes gloves, Reduce HAI's, and Save lives!
