The Joy of Healthy [Clean] Hands

6 Responses

1. Hope Rachel Hetico RN MHA, on February 17, 2012 at 1:32 PM said:

   CMS gives consumers data on infection rates in hospitals

   Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are among the most serious of all healthcare-associated infections, resulting in thousands of deaths each year and nearly $700 million in added costs to the U.S. healthcare system, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which just announced it will provide hospital infection rate data to consumers.

   http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/cms-gives-consumers-data-infection-rates-hospitals?topic=19

   Hope Rachel Hetico RN MHA

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2. Luke, on April 3, 2012 at 10:03 AM said:

   Joint Commission Creates HAI Info Portal

   The Joint Commission has unveiled an online portal containing information and resources to help providers curb rates of healthcare-associated infections. Known as the HAI Portal, it was created jointly by the Oakbrook Terrace, IL-based accreditation organization and Joint Commission International, Joint Commission Resources, and the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare.

   “Healthcare-associated infections are harmful for patients, costly for healthcare organizations, and largely preventable,” Jerod Loeb, the Joint Commission’s executive vice president of healthcare quality evaluation, said in a news release. “We hope that the easily accessible information on the HAI Portal will assist healthcare organizations, practitioners, and caregivers to prevent HAIs in their organizations, practices, and homes.”

   Source: Maureen McKinney, Modern Physician [4/2/12]

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3. Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA, on September 22, 2012 at 6:43 PM said:

   Infections drop 77% with improved communication, hand hygiene
   [Uses CDC guidelines to achieve goals]

   Children’s Healthcare here in Atlanta saved $23 million on hospital costs by slashing central-line infections by nearly 80 percent, reported Hospitals & Health Networks Daily.

   http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/infection-rates-drop-77-improved-communication-hand-hygiene/2012-09-21?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

   PS: So, thanks for hand washing?

   Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA

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4. Ann Miller RN MHA, on June 12, 2013 at 1:57 PM said:

   Your hands are probably filthy – disease spreading messes

   http://now.msn.com/ninety-five-percent-of-people-dont-wash-hands-correctly-michigan-state-study-says

   A new study.

   Ann Miller RN MHA

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5. Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA, on December 7, 2014 at 11:08 PM said:

   Denial, Anxiety, Depression and Psychiatric Risks of Infection

   Human beings may adapt to “threat” by focusing on immediate survival issues and denying risk. This defense mechanism has been most publicized in the AIDS prevention movement.

   In this case, an “it can’t happen to me” scenario is not an adapting attitude. Similarly, patients with ordinary foot, hand or extremity infections may minimize the significance of their condition, leading to noncompliance, missed follow-up care and often disastrous consequences. A typical psychological concern is denial. Denial itself can take several forms:

   Normal Denial

   A certain measure of denial is an ingredient in optimism, a quality that bodes well for recovery. Denial is no longer adaptive, however, when it impedes treatment decisions.

   Denial of Extent or Condition Implications

   This is a typical “shock” reaction to a new diagnosis or radical change in physical integrity. Such denial is transitory and is usually overcome by supportive counseling from clinicians and family.

   Complete Denial of Illness or Amputation

   This may imply a departure from reality (psychosis) or an organic mental disorder, rendering the patient clinically incompetent, and requiring treatment with anti-psychotic medication or appointment of a guardian.

   In the case of psychological denial in the patient requiring amputation, the clinical course is often complicated by depression once the denial subsides.

   Anxiety and Depression

   In the common example of a patient with complications of diabetes mellitus, the clinician may see reactions of excessive concern (anxiety) and/or a sense of futility and hopelessness (depression).

   Anxiety presents as excessive and unrealistic worry, physical symptoms of autonomic over activity, and often sleep and appetite disturbances. The typical thoughts of dread and doom among diabetic patients, include dwelling on disfigurement and disability and fear of contracting AIDS, TB or hepatitis from contaminated blood during surgery, or SARS from other patients in the waiting room.

   Depression appears as a sense of self-defeat and loss of interest and pleasure. Whereas anxiety may interfere with the treatment of musculo-skeletal infections by paralyzing the patient’s will, depression may be a prelude to passive suicide (giving up).

   For example, in the foot-infected diabetic, the reality of a deteriorating organ may be unbearable. Many diabetics have spent years caring for themselves only to find that they could not halt the progression of the disease. The presence of severe anxiety, and especially depression, should trigger referral to a psychiatrist.

   NOTE: Now compare and contrast this information to the recent Ebola virus epidemic – Same old song?

   Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA
   http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

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6. Ira, on June 9, 2015 at 11:58 PM said:

   It’s all about the wash … NOT

   It seems that the more we avoid germs the greater the chance of getting sick. We build up resistance and immunity from contact with germs on a daily basis. Those most likely to develop germ related illnesses are those that strive to be excessively clean.

   Although I agree that cleanliness has its place before meals, bed, and social activities or after trips to the john, it is not necessary to wash every time we touch a surface unless contact with a virus or pathogen is suspected.

   Ira

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