Hand washing is the beginning of infection control. This is an indisputable fact. Not simply a statement. Also, does it matter how we wash our hands, I think so. Simply rinsing you hands with water isn't good enough. You need to wash your hand with both soap and water and the temperature needs to be on the hot side. Why? Because of the oils on your skin, the germs can adhere to your skin so simply rinsing with water will not get rid of them. The soap forms a bond with the oils and will take the germs with them. Also, the heat of the water opens the skin pores and releases some of the bacteria in them.
Here are some interesting facts:
One half of bacterial infections don't respond to antibiotics any longer.
Only an estimated 22-63% of medical personnel wash their hands between patient contacts.
There are an estimated 1.5 million infections per year that occur in long term care facilities.
Direct touching transmits 80% of common infections.
There are approximately 22 million cases of food poisoning with 10,000 deaths per year, which the FDA say is, cause by lack of hand washing.
Seniors and the disabled are 10 times more likely to die from food poisoning than the rest of the population. This accounts for 1/3 of the US population.
The top cause for food borne illnesses is poor hygiene
The top cause for poor hygiene is lack of hand washing.
The above stats were gotten from the Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control.
Only an estimated 22-63% of medical personnel wash their hands between patient contacts.
There are an estimated 1.5 million infections per year that occur in long term care facilities.
Direct touching transmits 80% of common infections.
There are approximately 22 million cases of food poisoning with 10,000 deaths per year, which the FDA say is, cause by lack of hand washing.
Seniors and the disabled are 10 times more likely to die from food poisoning than the rest of the population. This accounts for 1/3 of the US population.
The top cause for food borne illnesses is poor hygiene
The top cause for poor hygiene is lack of hand washing.
The above stats were gotten from the Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control.
Living in a fast paced society leaves little time for many people to stop and wash their hands. They are not thinking about the consequences of their lack of action. However, you as the disabled person must pay attention. Why? Because as I stated above, you are 10 times more likely to die from food poisoning than the general population. This is a fact folk not fiction. Most individuals who are disabled are exposed more frequently to health care providers from doctors to nurses' aids. Not all of them take the time to wash their hands, thus exposing you to infection. The remedy here is to ask the medical provider whether they are a doctor or an orderly to wash their hands before they touch you. Don't take a no for an answer.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Really-Need-To-Wash-Your-Hands&id=216527
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