Hospitals are supposed to be a safe haven for the sick, a containment for what could ail us. But a recent study, as reported by The Baltimore Sun, is proving that to just not be the case. Not even close, in fact. The study sported hospital workers, 246 nurses and 72 Doctors, in contact isolation gowns and nitrile gloves. They used fake bacteria lotion which was easily trackable. The bacteria spread in 46% of the time. During the study, the workers were asked to rub the traceable lotion on their gloved hands for 15 minutes, they were then given a clean pair of gloves. They were also asked to remove the gown and gloves in a way reflective of their daily procedures. The results just weren’t good.
The hospital workers got the lotion on their clothes and skin 38% of the time when they took off their gowns and 53% of the time when they took off their gloves. Overall, the average “contamination” rate was 46%. (via The Baltimore Sun)
This puts on display that hospital standard procedure sorely lacks when it comes to containment of infectious disease. In light of this study, it is easy to see why diseases often are not contained at the very ground zero they should be contained at. While hospitals are quick to force flu shots and other various vaccinations on staff, they aren’t so quick to fix their own gaping holes. Maybe it’s time hospitals turn inward and reexamine their own procedures as a way of prevention.