A few months ago, we had a problem with the norovirus at our Needham hospital. It is a nasty bug that causes stomach flu-like symptoms. And, after you get over it, you can be reinfected. I note in today's Globe that it has appeared in some other health care facilities around town.
Hand-washing is the best solution, but you have to wash your hands for something like 20 seconds -- long enough to sing "happy birthday to you" while you are washing after using the toilet! But, then you have to be careful not to touch the handle of the faucet, the door handle in the rest room, and so on, because the bug persists on surfaces. Obviously, it is very important for food service workers to use extra precautions as well, in that the cafeteria can be a place where this virus is spread.
Not to be too precise here but don't you have to sing "Happy Birthday" twice to drag it out to 20 seconds? Twice, unless you sing really slowly, of course. First saw this advice in a bathroom at one of Boston's fine financial institutions. Have felt like an infectophobic ever since but alas have not had the flu.
ReplyDeleteHere's a handwashing pet peeve I have. I live in Boston and eat out frequently. More often than not, the restaurants I eat in have restrooms with no hot water for handwashing. And in some of the smaller of these restaurants I am certain the food service staff use the same restroom as the customers. So that means... Well, I don't even want to think about it. Isn't there a law to address this kind of thing?
ReplyDeleteugh. I work in a very small office in Back Bay, and I KNOW that one of my co-workers NEVER washes his hands after using the bathroom. Its disgusting!
ReplyDeleteIs the "employees must wash hands" sign only required when the place is a food service establishment? Because I would love to get one of those in here. Gives me the shivers to think about it.
the song I heard about is "Yankee Doodle" (all the way through at moderate pace = 20 sec)
ReplyDeleteI carry a tiny alcohol-based (like we use in hospital) hand cleaner in all my coat pockets. When forced to use public restroom, I turn off faucet and turn doorknob with paper towel I dried my hands on.
Incidentally we had the norovirus visit out home during holidays courtesy of family from Indiana - my husband and I vigorously hand washed and "gelled" and avoided getting it.
To anonymous 8:20 p.m., I'm not sure norovirus can be killed with alcohol. I think it might be one of those handwashing (friction plus soap) or bleach only bugs.
ReplyDeleteWe had an outbreak around Thanksgiving here in Madison. While I'd like to say that I think it changed handwashing practices, I can't say I saw any more people using the sinks than normal.
Kindly recall post of Aug'07 on Sister Stacy's hand hygiene drill...
ReplyDeleteref: "all personnel are to use Calstat when entering or exiting a patient’s room, even if they are not going to give direct patient care."
Q: Does this effectively neutralize the Norovirus without singing 'Happy Birthday'?
Dear Mr. President,
ReplyDeleteI like the Happy Birthday idea but am hopeful that, while singing it to yourself, you aren't using the Marilyn Monroe (to JFK) version.
Actually, I believe the alcohol-based cleaners will kill Norovirus effectively. There are some bugs, though, such as those that cause C-Diff, that aren't killed by the alcohol, but are killed by handwashing (for a sufficient lenght of time, 20 seconds). The best thing to do is to practice good hygiene, with alcohol as a back-up when you're unsure of the cleanliness of a bathroom, or need any easily portable solution. (Note, I'm not clinical, but this is what I understand from my clinical friends.)
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit late coming into this discussion (I'm researching norovirus outbreaks in the Boston area from 2006-2007 for a community health class), but am wondering if the incidence at the Needham location prompted additional signs, memos, etc. to be sent to staff. I'd love to talk more with someone about how different hospital administrations have responded when the nasty bug hits their facilities, but people seem reluctant to admit to their vulnerability to norovirus.
ReplyDeleteSend an email address please.
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