Things You Should Never Touch While You Are in Hospital
Hospital is not as clean as it looks. Even though hospitals look squeaky clean with the smell of cleaning agents, you can never be too sure. With all the patients harbouring different diseases and the flood of visitors, there is a reason we are strictly advised to wash our hands before and after going inside a hospital. Here are some things, you should NEVER, EVER touch while you are in the hospital:
ELEVATOR BUTTONS
Since hospital lifts are large enough to carry patients from one floor to another, germs and bacteria or disinfected by the hospital staff on a daily basis, the next time you get into an elevator, remember to use a tissue or a napkin to press the buttons and then throw them away or better still use a hand sanitizer after you get out.
DOOR HANDLES
What is the first thing that you do when you visit someone admitted to the hospital? Well, you open the door.
A recent study detected high bacterial contamination of frequently touched objects like doorknobs. With nurses, healthcare workers, patients and doctors filing in and out of the room all day, it is best that you wash your hands after exiting any room.
ARM RESTS OF CHAIRS
Carry an antibiotic wipe the next time you visit anyone in the hospital and ensure that you wipe down the visitor’s chair especially the armrests--before you get comfortable on the seat.
If you are confused, a recent study has pointed out that furniture in the hospital might be home to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
THE IV POLE
Yes, the same IV pole where nurses hang the IV bags, might be a reservoir for the spread of pathogenic microbes.
The reason behind the same is that this pole is handled by both doctors and patients numerous times. Whether you are a patient or just a visitor, make sure you wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser after touching IV pole.
TAPS
When the drops of fecal matter and germs are expelled out of the open toilet after flushing, guess where they land? Yes, the same tap that you quite so often use to sanitize yourself. As a rule of thumb, always use a towel to turn off the taps after you are done using them.
BED RAILS
Bed rails are used by doctors, patients and health workers alike, so, this should not come as a surprise that they are extremely germy.
Also, as they are not cleaned regularly as well, we strongly advise wiping those bed rails, whenever you come in contact with them.
Don’t forget to sanitise your hands after it.