young non nurse needs help

[ashleigh]

I realize this might sound kinda bad but....I'm 20 and love working with people. I just got offered a job at our hospital (just handing out televisions and phones and taking orders) but my concern is getting sick and bringing it home to my 2 young girls. I just feel that working their, I would catch alot and then bring it home. How often do doctors or nurses or the staff their catch something? And what are my chances of catching something? People go their everyday with stomache flus and colds. I know it sounds rude but I'm just concerned for my family as well as myself....can someone help me out?

[mercynurse]

I don't think you're much more likely to catch something @ the hospital than you are @ the grocery store or day care. More likely that the girls would bring something home from day care!

[cassioo]

I worked in pediatrics when my kids were little and I was never sick and they weren't either. I agree with mercynurse you'll have more contact with sick people who don't stay in out in the general public and it sounds like you wouldn't be indirect patient care...just wash your hands

Yep Cassioo,

Don't know if anyone saw the piece on shopping carts on Dateline I believe or 60 Minutes. e. coli on the handle.. You know those toddlers will put their hands anywhere.. LOLLL


WR,,, three commas for Becca


The name's changed but I wil always be WindingRoad

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.

[cassioo]

they talked about that dateline show in my handwashing thing. I had seen that it also showed nasty hotel rooms. I had always thought that the bedspreads were washed after each person in hotels but NOT just the sheets (maybe). It always worries me at resturants where it says employees must wash hands....didn't their mothers tell them that. Also watch at fast food resturants they will wear gloves to handle food but then they will turn around and handle money also then back to the food...guess they have to protect themself from touching the food not protect the public from the germs (saw this at a fastfood place where we mystery shop)

Actually there are some studies that have come out that we are losing our immune systems.. The old use it or lose it syndrome. Interesting huh?


WR,,, three commas for Becca

The name's changed but I will always be WindingRoad


A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.

[medi]

Hi Ashleigh,
First of all congratulations on your hospital job and welcome to the forums. Hi WR too, it's terrific to see you back! Ashleigh I agree with what everyone else has already said and wanted to add a few links to some things that may help you learn more about preventing infections and feel more assured about keeping yourself and your family protected from any hospital acquired infection ok?

First of all, here's a short easy to read article from my site about the importance of hand washing and how to do it properly: http://medi-smart.com/infect-handwash.htm

Now I expect you might feel even better if you learned some more about this subject, so here's a brief, easy to read short introduction to infection control for nursing students. Since you're a hospital worker now and come into contact with patients and visitors this is something you probably should want to learn as well:
http://medi-smart.com/infect_student.htm

I hope these are helpful and please don't hesitate to share problems, questions or concerns about your job with us here! We're always happy to listen and try to help!

Sara