So , considering the above scenarios , what should we take away from this article ?
➊ Use your critical thinking skills . Consider both sides of the equation , what is said and what is not said .
➋ Understand the science and follow the science . Understand microorganisms and their mode of transmission .
➌ Use your common-sense logic .
➍ Audit your personal behavior and apply these principles of science and logic .
➎ Come to your own conclusions . Don ’ t blindly accept what is pushed on you by the media .
I ask the question that if hand hygiene is the No . 1 way to reduce the risk of infection , why do we not get the correct guidance on how and , most importantly , when to perform hand hygiene ? Additionally , with so many vehicles and modes of transmission of pathogens ( cell phones , masks , etc .) with hands at the center , why are we not educated and made aware of how , when , and why hand hygiene is as important , if not more important , than using this medical device ( masks , gloves , etc .)?
I am not against the use of any of these medical devices if they are used properly , training and education is provided ( how to use and how not to use ) and they are supported by evidence-based research . Anything short of this I view as medical malpractice . We have been seriously uninformed for whatever reason and , as individuals , we have not assumed our responsibility to use our critical thinking skills to arrive at the proper conclusions . This lack of critical thinking has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives ; many who might have been our own loved ones . So , put on your thinking cap and let the science , data and common sense set you free and maybe save your life .
Robert Lee , BA , the CEO and founder of MD-Medical Data Quality & Safety Advisors , LLC , is the senior biologist and performance improvement consultant . MD-MDQSA is the home of The IPEX- The Infection Prevention Exchange , a digital collaboration between selected evidence-based solutions that use big data , technology , and AI to reduce risk of HAIs . He may be reached at : medicaldatamanagement @ gmail . com
References :
Septimus E , Weinstein RA , Perl TM , Goldmann DA , Yokoe DS . Approaches for preventing healthcare-associated infections : go long or go wide ? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol . 2014 Sep : 35 Suppl 2 : S10-4 . doi : 10.1017 / s0899823x00193808 .
Wohrley JD and Bartlett AH . Healthcare- Associated Infections in Children . Springer Nature . Published online July 16 , 2018 ; 17-36 . doi : 10.1007 / 978-3-319-98122-2 _ 2
Kwok YLA , Gralton J , McLaws M-L , et al . Face touching : a frequent habit that has implications for hand hygiene . Am J Infect Control . 2015 Feb ; 43 ( 2 ): 112-4 . doi : 10.1016 / j . ajic . 2014.10.015 .
Tajouri L , Campos M , Olsen M , et al . The role of mobile phones as a possible pathway for pathogen movement , a cross-sectional microbial analysis . Travel Med Infect Dis . 2021 Sep-Oct ; 43:102095 . doi : 10.1016 / j . tmaid . 2021.102095 . Epub 2021 Jun 9 . PMID : 34116242 .
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