Subject: Visiting in the
hospital?
To:
To:
Don't
touch the curtains!
The
next time you visit a hospital, remember those four words. They could save you
a world of misery.
Bacteria
control is one of the most difficult challenges faced by hospital staffs.
That's why hand washing by staff members and visitors is critical. Don't even
THINK about leaving a hospital without first washing your hands.
And
while you're there, keep your hands off the curtains.
University
of Iowa researchers took dozens of swab cultures from more than 40 hospital
privacy curtains.
Results:
Uh oh...
*
Contamination was found on nearly every curtain at least once during the
three-week testing
*
Significant contamination occurred on the "vast majority" of curtains
within a week of installation
*
Many curtains were hanging for three weeks and longer
*
The MRSA "superbug" contaminated 20% of the curtains
*
A high rate of other antibiotic-resistant microbes were also found
Researchers
offer this simple tip for doctors and staff. First, pull the curtain. THEN wash
hands. Too often, it happens the other way around.
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