TCRH Signs Infection Prevention Proclamation

& Offers Infection Prevention Tips

 

Photo Front L to R:  C.M. Mitchell, Galax City Mayor and TCRH Pharmacist; Jon Applebaum, TCRH President and CEO

Photo Back L to R: Mary Ann Phipps, RN, TCRH Employee Health Nurse;  Barbara Shaffner, TCRH Infection Control/Employee Health Assistant; and Martha Easter, RN, BSN, TCRH Infection Control/Employee Health Coordinator

 

Internationally, Infection Prevention Week is celebrated October 14-20.  This year’s theme:  “It’s In Your Hands.” Twin County Regional Healthcare (TCRH) marked the occasion by asking C.M. Mitchell, Galax City Mayor and TCRH Pharmacist; Jon Applebaum, TCRH President and CEO; Mary Ann Phipps, RN, TCRH Employee Health Nurse;  Barbara Shaffner, TCRH Infection Control/Employee Health Assistant; and Martha Easter, RN, BSN, TCRH Infection Control/Employee Health Coordinator to sign the Infection Prevention Week Proclamation.  This Proclamation demonstrates TCRH’s daily commitment to protect and to provide our community with access to safe and effective health care services.

 

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the National Health Institute, and the World Health Organization (WHO), the number one way to prevent and control infectious diseases is good hand hygiene.  There are many microorganisms on our hands and the best way to decrease the amount and/remove them is to wash our hands.  TCRH continually offers training and hand hygiene campaigns internally and for the community.

 

Some important points to remember are that hands should be washed beneath running warm water and soap enough for a good lather.  CDC recommends that we wash our hands at least 15-20 seconds with a friction rub over and around the wrist, between the fingers, and around cuticles and nails beds for this period of time before rinsing thoroughly, drying with a paper towel, and using the towel to turn off the faucet.  Dispose of the paper towel and use a clean paper towel to open a bathroom door.  WHO recommends washing hands in the same manner but also recommends carrying out the process over one minute.  After hand washing, moisturizing lotion should be applied to keep the skin soft and pliable.

 

It is important to wash hands when:

·         When hands are visibly soiled

·         Before preparing food and eating

·         Before contacting mouth, eyes, ears or nose

·         After using the restroom

·         After touching animals and pets

·         Before and after changing diapers

·         Before and after caring for the sick

·         Before and after changing wound dressings

           

It is also essential to remember to disinfect commonly touched surfaces like sinks, toilets, shower/bathtubs, countertops, door handles, table tops, telephones, keyboards, computer mouse, TV remote, baby changing table, etc.

 

To reduce infections, it is critical to never share toothbrushes, combs, drinking glasses/cups, razors, bath towels, or face clothes, etc.

 

As you may be aware, germs are expelled into the air when sneezing or coughing.  To prevent the spread of these germs, turn away from others and cough or sneeze into a tissue and discard.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve.  Always wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

 

One of the most publicized infections in the news now is MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report that estimates over 94,000 cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection occurred in the U.S. in 2005. The study was reported Oct. 17 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The CDC says the report establishes the first national baseline for MRSA infection rates.

 

While the study said most MRSA infections occur in health care settings, media coverage has focused on the dangers of community-based MRSA infections because of the death of a Virginia high school student who contracted MRSA from somewhere in his community.

 

Key Messages for the Fight Against the MRSA Battle:

 

  • Physicians, nurses and hospitals are fighting a never-ending battle with an invisible and increasingly powerful enemy. Hospitals are constantly beefing up their efforts to combat infections as we learn more about them.

 

  • The CDC’s report adds critical information about the changing nature of MRSA and provides valuable insights for those of us on the front lines of care.

 

    • CDC’s report provides a full picture about MRSA’s reach into communities and gives us an important set of new information that will help hospitals work with others to eliminate infections.

    • What’s particularly helpful is understanding that some infections are acquired in health care settings, but others are not. This information helps us know what work has to be done inside hospitals, but we also have to reach out to the community and work with others.

 

  • Hospitals are focusing on areas where they can make the most difference by

 

    • Providing physicians with the latest information about the right use of antibiotics for their patients,
    • Installing air circulation systems and isolation rooms, and
    • Using new testing methods to test patients and identify whether they’re bringing an infection into a hospital.

  • If patients have any concerns while they are in the hospital, they should talk to their doctors and nurses and ask what’s being done to prevent the spread of infection. Patients are an important part of the care team and they should take an active role in their care – including asking if their caregiver has washed their hands.

 

  • The bottom line is if we want to eliminate drug resistant infections, we all have to work together – hospitals, caregivers, community organizations such as schools and others. This is a never-ending battle and requires multiple approaches in order to eliminate infections.

 

For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov, www.vdh.virginia.gov.