Educate to Reduce Cross Contamination

**Healthcare Professionals**

Nosocomial infections are almost inevitable in the hospital however, according to epidemiological studies they have estimated that
one-third of nosocomial infections can be prevented by well-organized infection
control programs, yet only 6% to 9% are actually prevented (*Use patient safety*, 2000, p. 1). Most
hospital infections can be prevented if hospitals educate
and train their staff. Experts agree that hospitals should seriously consider
implementing a scheduled training then observe health care workers bed side application
of the knowledge taught as regularly. Mehta et al (2014) believed hospitals should
also require new employees to attend an infection control training discussing the
employees’ accountability for infection prevention which has been recommended
by Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (p.159 ).

Furthermore, it is the hospitals
responsibility to educate their staff about cell phone contamination. Ustun
& Cihangiroglu (2012) stated there is a “lack of awareness about the
contamination of mobile phones by infectious microorganisms among health care
workers (p. 540). Health care professionals should be made aware that cell
phones harbor  many of the pathogenic
bacteria that cause hospital acquired infection and account for 9-43% of
infections (Julian et al, 2012, p.1). In addition, to restriction of the use of
cell phones while working.  Ustun &
Cihangiroglu (2012) believes that cell phones should be wiped often using
antiseptics such as 0.5% chlorhexidine and 70% isopropyl alcohol (p 540).

Hand washing is the most important method
for prevention. Hand washing compliance rates in human medicine remains below
50% (Julian et al, 2012, p. 3). Most importantly, it’s critical that all health
care workers stay committed to frequent hand washing.It’s also necessary for all health care
professionals to be immunized against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella, MMR,
DPT, Rubeola, Meningitis, Polio, Influenza, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Rubella.

**Patients & the Community**

As far as the health care workers carrying around
contaminated cell phones and passing on infectious pathogens to patients.
Health care professional can also pass these germs to their families and to the
community. According to one study, health care workers cell phones are
contaminated with MRSA and ESBL, *E. Coli* If
the workers have children who use their phones then the child is at risk of
infection and may potentially take it to school or daycare, spreading the
infection to the community. MRSA and ESBL'pose a great threat to the public health. For public safety is important
that children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients should not use the
cell phone belonging to a health care professional. (Ustun, & Cihangiroglu,
2012,para.13).

Although the safety of patients is the hospitals
first priority, the hospital is also indebted to the safety of their visitors.Visitors should also be made aware of infection
control. Hospitals recommend that children do not visit individuals who are
actively sick and the immunocompromised. Experts recommends, “Visitors who may
have communicable infections flu-like illnesses, recent exposure to
communicable diseases, an active shingles rash whether covered or not, a
VZV-like rash within 6 weeks of receiving a live-attenuated VZV vaccine, or a
history of receiving an oral polio vaccine within the previous 3-6 weeks should
not be allowed to visit immunocompromised patient should not come to hospital” (Mehta
et al, 2014, p.11). Awareness and the necessary precautions play a pivotal role

in preventing the occurrence of cross contamination.