One old drinking buddy of mine can explain this story of how MRSA is spread:
Patients’ notes, pens and computer keyboards may be helping to spread the MRSA super bug in hospitals, new research has shown.
The
study in an intensive care unit found evidence of MRSA contamination on
a wide range of surfaces including hands and aprons, with notes and
charts raising a particular problem because they are difficult to clean.
A bloke down the pub (who was also a Professor in the local teaching hospital…quite a poncy little pub really) explained that at least part of the problem came from doctor’s pens.
Wash hands, examine patient, take pen out of pocket, write notes, pen back in pocket, wash hands, examine next patient. And so on. The pen is the carrier of whatever bugs are around.
A small but simple change in actions. Wash hands, examine patient, wash hands, take pen, make notes. Even though he had noted it himself, tried his hardest to act this way, he knew that he didn’t do it every time. Sounds simple but changing the habits of 10 or 20 years can be tough. And of course it isn’t just MRSA that can be spread this way.
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