Long fingernails are considered attractive by many people, but are they appropriate for a health care worker? During a recent visit to our local doctor’s office, I was amazed at the number of female health care workers who wore acrylic fingernails. It suprised me that there are no regulations concerning long nails. University of Michigan researchers say nurses who wear acrylic nails are more likely to pass germs on to their hospital patients. Seventy-three percent of nurses studied who were wearing fake nails had harmful bacteria on them. After hand washing, that number went down to 68%, which is not exactly a huge reduction.
The body of evidence implicating artificial nails and long natural nails in health care-associated infections continues to grow. Infections with pseudomonas and other gram-negative pathogens and yeast have been associated with personnel wearing artificial nails.
If a caregiver does choose to wear artificial nails, new guidelines on hand hygiene from the CDC may be of interest:
The government issued guidelines urging doctors and nurses to abandon the ritual of washing their hands with soap and water between patients and instead rub on fast-drying alcohol gels to kill more germs. The goal: reduce the hospital spread of viruses and bacteria that infect an estimated 2 million people in the United States each year and kill about 90,000.
Category: Health
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Antibacterial cleansers are designed for use in hospitals and clinics, not for use in the homes of healthy people. Dan Chang, PhD, a professor of environmental engineering at U.C. Davis, reports that antibacterial products may do more harm than good. Regular washing with soap and water is sufficient to wash away dirt and germs. Repeatedly washing with alcohol sanitizers causes skin cells to break down, allowing skin to become increasingly susceptible to harmful bacteria and other organisms. Chemicals in antibacterial soap such as triclosan and triclocarban have the potential to affect sex hormones and interfere with the nervous system.
Spraying counter tops and other surfaces with antibacterial cleanser causes some chemicals to linger, continuing to kill some bacteria, but not all of them. This allows the remaining bacteria to build up a tolerance and become resistant. Good bacteria lives on our skin, and antibacterial cleansers kill the beneficial bacteria as well. We need these bacteria to fight off disease causing germs and common infections.
The traditional advice is still the best. Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 15-20 seconds. Make sure to scrub between your fingers and under fingernails. Always use a clean, dry towel to dry hands completely. Natural cleansers are best as many soaps may also contain harsh, drying chemicals. Last but not least…keep your hands out of mucous membranes!
Long fingernails are considered attractive by many people, but are they appropriate for a health care worker? During a recent visit to our local doctor’s office, I was amazed at the number of female health care workers who wore acrylic fingernails. It suprised me that there are no regulations concerning long nails. University of Michigan researchers say nurses who wear acrylic nails are more likely to pass germs on to their hospital patients. Seventy-three percent of nurses studied who were wearing fake nails had harmful bacteria on them. After hand washing, that number went down to 68%, which is not exactly a huge reduction.
