10 replies to this topic

[crystal_willow]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12653738

click on the link above to read the abstract but here is the bit that scared me:

"Prevalence of resistant propionibacteria on the skin of untreated contacts of the patients varied from 41% in Hungary to 86% in Spain"

"Of the dermatologists, 25 of 39 were colonized with resistant propionibacteria, including all those who specialized in treating acne None of 27 physicians working in other outpatient departments harboured resistant propionibacteria."

"Antibiotic-resistant propionibacteria should be considered transmissible between acne-prone individuals, and dermatologists should use stricter cross-infection control measures when assessing acne in the clinic"

My Conclusion?

Well when I go to my first derm appointment I will be making damn sure they use gloves!!!

[Wynne]

This is basic science that derms, doctors, and nurses learn in their very first semester of classes. But unfortunately, lots of doctors (derms included) are horrid at washing their hands and wearing gloves. Studies prove that nurses are much better at it. I wear gloves for just giving medications by mouth. I don't know what's on that patient's skin. I don't want it on me!

Another source of community infection is dumbheads who ignore the 'contact isolation' signs and tell me "But it's my mom!" The germs don't care if it's your mom or not. You're going to pick those germs off the environmental surfaces (particularly C-Diff whose spores can live for three months on a surface!) and take them right out into the community. THAT I have seen so many times it's unbelievable. I believe that nurses and doctors should, in the interests of public health, be allowed to bar non-compliant people from visiting people who are on contact isolation.

One CNA who was with an agency ignored the contact isolation sign for a patient who had C-Diff. She walked right in without wearing gown and gloves. I told her to go right home and shower and change clothes, do NOT go anywhere else. Guess what the dumbo did? She went to her agency to ask if she should go home and shower and change. she was told in no uncertain terms that she should do so, and they called me to thank me for taking care of it but also for being kind to her (not reporting her) but they did take her off the case.

[Wynne]

Also ask if the person washed his/her hands. They should not be offended as it's now taught that they should expect that question, as patients are taught to remind healthcare providers to wash hands. You'll even see signs in the hospital telling patients "Ask your healthcare provider if s/he washed his/her hands".

[crystal_willow]

Also ask if the person washed his/her hands. They should not be offended as it's now taught that they should expect that question, as patients are taught to remind healthcare providers to wash hands. You'll even see signs in the hospital telling patients "Ask your healthcare provider if s/he washed his/her hands".

it seems like common sense that this would happen but you are never warned about it, i will be more mindful of touching peoples skin in future really I think. Not obsessive but mindful....

what job do you do?

[Wynne]

RN.

[crystal_willow]

glad to see someone representing informed people working in healthcare

[Wynne]

Most nurses I know are very cautious about infection control. I may go overboard but that's because I did work Infectious Diseases and I also did QI/Infection Control in another one of my recent job incarnations.

[crystal_willow]

Most nurses I know are very cautious about infection control. I may go overboard but that's because I did work Infectious Diseases and I also did QI/Infection Control in another one of my recent job incarnations.

I did biology at uni and did alot on the practica side. I took aseptic technique to be key to preventing contamination. How I work in social/healthcare and it just amazes me the risks that people take daily.... but I'm not talking hospitals here so hats off to you guys

[ben100604]

I remember hearing something similar about this a while back. Whether it's true or not, I don't know. I heard it when my acne was quite bad and it made me a bit paranoid of hanging round with one of my mates who had really bad acne. I think it's best not to worry about stuff like this though. Otherwise you'll end up becoming a germophobe and living in a plastic, sanitised box.

[crystal_willow]

I remember hearing something similar about this a while back. Whether it's true or not, I don't know. I heard it when my acne was quite bad and it made me a bit paranoid of hanging round with one of my mates who had really bad acne. I think it's best not to worry about stuff like this though. Otherwise you'll end up becoming a germophobe and living in a plastic, sanitised box.

Personally I will pay attention to the research and take reasonable care... resonable being the operative word. Theres no reason to start avoiding hanging out with a friend just cause they have acne but there is every reasons to insist a dermatologist washes their hands and wears gloves before examining your skin or touching you at all.. I would be wary of the handshake. Derms are definatley going to have come accross antibiotic resistant p.acnes so care is reasonable in this case.


In the same vein, if you know a friend is antibiotic resistant maybe dont get too up close and personal if you also have a problem with acne and want to try antibiotics... (unless the person is your partner in which case you probably already have it so snuggle away...)

[joris]

This is why anti biotics shouldnt be used when there are no lifes at stake.