Every time I attend one of my husband's hospital tests and specialty appointments, there are copious amounts of signage to direct folks towards hand washing stations or antiseptic and/or antibacterial hand pumps.
There have been instances while enduring long waits, either for myself, my husband or both of us, when we sit quietly and observe the activity around doorways and biways, and especially elevator entrances.
Much to my chagrin, I can honestly report, the worst offenders are not those who are attending appointments because they are suffering from disease, rather I have found some clerical hospital staff will use preventative measures in donning a mask if you dare go near to them with a lung disease induced cough, because they aren't aware one is not contagious.
Still worse, and on the flip side, many of the doctors and most hospital staff I've observed are completely ignorant to their own preaching about the importance of washing their hands in hospital and patient settings.
Three weeks ago, I took our visiting daughter to emergency for a bug bite when a severe reaction became out of control. While waiting in the emergency department to be seen by a doctor, I was able to observe the flurry of activity and the hubbub of hustle and bustle as patients entered and hospital staff attended to those in their midst.
Rather than to throw caution to the wind, I was amazed once again to note attending physicians roaming from curtain to curtain and not washing their hands in between, before touching the next patient when deemed necessary.
I suppose I've earned a loving reputation for asking a doctor not to touch anyone requiring care who happens to be in my midst before moving to the sink and washing up. It used to be the rule, no touching and observing a patient unless you wash your hands first. These days, many do not.
Superbugs aside, what about the respiratory wards then, when hospital staff run amock and not pay attention to the signage themselves?
As the wife to a man suffering from lung disease, might I suggest to you or yours that the discomfort of uninvited (polite) confrontation is a necessary evil when one is looking out for their loved one. In fact, silence could be mistaken as acceptance when nothing is uttered.
Oh sure, admittedly it's not the most comfortable process to be placed in a position to forge forth and kindly request they please mind washing up before examination, noting it is nothing personal of course to them, rather you're just trying to keep up the protection of your loved one.
Smile lots and be sure to keep a cheery voice. And to be sure, there is absolutely nothing lost but plenty is gained when avoiding possible in-hospital illness and other disease through germ carriers within medical staff.
If you're not certain on the importance of this little tidbit of attention to health detailing, here is a link directing you over to the Canadian Lung Association's article entitled; Fight germs and wash hands properly.
