MRSA and Handwashing

Beating MRSA has become a focal point for heathcare professionals. Why? APIC, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, who is gathering in Denver this week for a national conference, noted that the occurrence of MRSA last year was about 8 times higher than estimated! But, infection experts wonder, how can MRSA be stopped when healthcare professionals don't follow simple guidelines, like handwashing?

It is estimated that less than half of healthcare professionals adequately wash their hands. What does it mean to adequately wash your hands? It means scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, or for enough time to sing the "Happy Birthday" song...twice. The understaffing of nurses and the urgent need for patient care has caused some healthcare professionals to admit that it takes too much time to perform correct hand hygiene. Other obstacles, such as the fire marshal saying that too many alcohol based gels are a fire hazard, also stand in the way.

But, like Rebecca Peters, an infection control staffer, said, '“It doesn’t matter if it’s God himself or the governor or whoever, you have to wash up."'

Please Read more at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25200398/

Or visit the APIC website at http://www.apic.org/