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A few years ago my son entered the hospital with a burst appendix. We stayed with him that whole night and morning and while he had surgery, we waited. When he was in his room my hubby left to get some sleep I went home to change clothes and get my change of clothes and personal things. I stayed with him in his room till he left the hospital. Main reason, to comfort him which would help him sleep better and heal, and to be the sanitary guard. I made sure everyone including us used the sanitizer when they entered the room. I took to getting his clean bed clothes and linens and did the bed myself, while he washed up, when he could use the bathroom. I made sure it was clean.I was an asset to the staff, doing these things for my son to prevent any problems.
They started bringing me a "guest" meal try, and eventualy they offered me the empty bed in the room. They switched his room one night and when we got there, there was a huge stain on the floor and the bathroom and shower looked dirty. I went to the nurses station IMMEDIATELY and told them about it. I heard her call for "House cleaning" they never showed up, so she had him moved into another room that was clean. All personal was excellent and we appreciated each other.
One day a nurse came in and was wearing a mask she had a difficult few days, car accident, and a cold. I gave her sympathy and suggested that she needed to see a doctor for her neck and get some rest for her cold. She took the rest of the day off and thanked me when she came back a few days later.
I'm saying this to encourage you to be active participant in your family/friends health care in a hospital or nursing home. PLEASE.
This article below is from:
https://www.care2.com/causes/health-policy/blog/what-causes-99-000-deaths-and-is-largely-preventable/
What Causes 99,000 Deaths and is Largely Preventable?
posted by: Ann Pietrangelo in Care2.com, Newsletter
What Causes 99,000 Deaths and is Largely Preventable?
It is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States, responsible for an estimated 99,000 deaths per year. It is largely preventable and hits you when you’re down.
It is health care-associated infection. You get it when you go to the hospital for treatment, but end up with the added problem of a life-threatening infection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of these health care-associated infections (HAI),
* 32 percent are urinary tract infections
* 22 percent are surgical site infections
* 15 percent are pneumonia (lung infections)
* 14 percent are bloodstream infections
An infection is considered to be an HAI if it develops at a hospital or other patient care facility if the patient did not have it prior to treatment. It is a global crisis affecting both patients and health care workers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at any given time, 1.4 million people are suffering from HAI, and the risk in developing countries is 2 - 20 times higher than in developed countries.
Such infections often lead to longer hospital stays, increase the likelihood of readmission, and add considerably to medical costs.
The current swine flu (H1N1) pandemic and the increased incidence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), also referred to as a "super bug," are fueling public concern for how medical facilities will work to prevent HAI and how they will be held accountable.
We take it for granted that surgical teams will scrub up prior to surgery. But during the course of a hospital stay, we can quickly lose track of the number of health care workers, other hospital staff, and visitors in and out of our room. It is almost impossible for a patient to monitor. We must assume that the people entrusted with our care are washing their hands between patients and after touching materials that may spread infection. Sometimes we're assuming too much. Yet it is this simple act of hand washing -- something we take for granted -- that is the single most important thing we can do to cut down on the spread of HAI.
Hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities must take the steps necessary to educate ALL staff regarding HAI. It is not only a tremendous financial drain on our already overburdened facilities, it is a matter of life and death -- mostly preventable death. The following video, from The Department of Health and Human and Services, Centers for Disease Control, educates patients on simple steps they can take when in a hospital.
Handwashing Video HAI Heathcare Associated Infection Prevention
We can do something about it. Earlier this month, International Infection Prevention Week was part of a national campaign for health care professionals designed to call attention to the problem and to offer education about protecting patients from hospital infections.
Mandatory public reporting of health care-acquired infections and preventable medical errors will spur quality improvement. You can help by asking your representatives to support legislation to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of healthcare-acquired infections.
click on for more info:
From The Petition Site:
Urge Congress to Curb the Spread of Hospital "Superbug" Infections
Help Prevent Medical Errors
Related Reading:
Calling on Hospitals to Prevent Spread of MRSA
Wash Your Hands or Pay the Consequences
Connect with me on Twitter @AnnPietrangelo
https://www.care2.com/causes/health-policy/blog/what-causes-99-000-deaths-and-is-largely-preventable/
Read more: hai, mrsa, health policy, health care reform, swine flu, h1n1, health care associated infection
