Talking to Medical Professionals in hospital

I am not shy about much but one is talking to medical people and telling them to do something. I met a girl yesterday her mom had the RNY lost 300 lbs and she was back in the hospital after discharge for a week with a staph infection. The lady in the room next to her for recovery from the surgery had one too and she died from the infection.

She said make sure everyone washes his or her hands before they touch you. Great that is easy to say to me and think but telling a medical professional I might be a bit shy to say hey wash up before you touch me or anything going on me. She wasn't in the same hospital I am using but hell Staph infections happen anywhere. So I was thinking of putting a sign up on the door and on my bed so maybe they will all get used to me saying that. I haven't been in a hospital in about 5 years when I had my son. I remember a push thing they used in the hospital when they walked in that pumped some liquid on the Drs hands and he cleaned them as he walked over to me to check me.

I know of all the things I worry about....she also said that you should wear white clothing for awhile after surgery. I never heard that. She said her mom was leaking when she woke up from bed and it was all over her shirt I would think a wet shirt light or dark would tell me something was wrong don't you agree? Did anyone else have a Dr that said wear light clothing?

Thanks,
Michelle

It's ok to remind medical professionals to wash their hands. Hospitals have Mersa, C-Diff and many other infectious germs hanging around. If you are more comfortable putting a sign up, then do that, but it's really ok to be proactive in your care.

As for wearing white clothing, no I wasn't told that.

In my recovery room, there was a sink and antibacterial dispensers throughout the room and floor. And, my surgeon never told me to wear only white clothes. I'm sure that would be easier to see if you're bleeding or have pus from an infection, but like you said, I'm sure you'd know. LOL

Yes, staph infections can happen anywhere and at any time. I got one on my face after I wiped my nose while riding the bus. It was very gross!! 

I've been to several hospitals with signs up directing patients to ask the staff if they have washed their hands before they touch you. It's a good reminder for everyone. The white clothing seems apocryphal, though.

I personally wouldn't want to ruin a white shirt. When I came home from the hospital by the time I got home I was covered in the blood tinged stuff where they took my drain out. I called the doc was told it was normal and it leaked for about 2 days. trust me it was noticable.

I work in a hospital and would never be offended if someone asked me to wash my hands.  I always use the hand sanitizer before and after I come after a room. Sometimes, the patient doesn't see me do this, though.   The wearing white does have roots in history though, and it is why nurses always used to wear white.  :-)   I have never seen patients wear white, but hey, if you feel better in it, go for it.  Please be aware everyone has, to some extent, staph and strep on their skin every day.  So using the scrub they provide you before surgery and using it properly is important.  Best wishes!!!

 

Kat

I also work in a hospital and I think it's great when pt's ask if I've washed my hands.  Like the above poster said, I wash my hands before and after entering a room but pt's don't always see me do this.  You are in charge of your care and you shouldn't be afraid to speak up.

Every hospital I have been in or visited in the past 5 years has had a hand sanitizer on the wall as you enter the room. The doctors I have used have always used it upon entering but the nurses generally did not unless they were specifically going to look at my incision(s). I am sure no one will be offended if you ask them to wash or sanitize their hands before touching you.

I cannot imagine that there would be any point to wearing white after surgery. If your incision is leaking, you will feel it on your skin. (Not to be gross, but you dont need to actually see blood on your underwear to know if you have unexpectedly started your period, right?) I suspect it is some kind of old wives' tale or perhaps it might have some root in the methods that were used way back when to dye materials (possibly making dyed materials less sanitary)? At any rate, I have never seen a white hospital gown...

Lora