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The Patient Room: what is the ideal solution? - Cornell University

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<strong>Patient</strong> <strong>Room</strong> and Infection Control<br />

Steps to reduce <strong>the</strong> spread of infection can take many different forms. From HEPA filters to hand washing, all things need to be<br />

considered. With th<strong>is</strong> consideration comes <strong>the</strong> design implications of implementation. Hand washing <strong>is</strong> widely accepted as a simple<br />

way to reduce rates of infection. Some barriers to hand washing include; inconvenient sink location, lack of time, lack of soap or<br />

paper towels, and forgetfulness. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> as reported by hospital staff. Anjali Joseph goes on to d<strong>is</strong>cuss an Ulrich study that found<br />

<strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> some support for <strong>the</strong> notion that providing numerous, conveniently located alcohol-rub d<strong>is</strong>pensers or washing sinks can<br />

increase compliance. Installing alcohol-based d<strong>is</strong>pensers at <strong>the</strong> bedside in particular leaders to improved adherence. Joseph goes<br />

on to look at <strong>the</strong> work of Pittet who found that a combination of bedside ant<strong>is</strong>eptic hand-rub d<strong>is</strong>pensers and posters reminding staff to<br />

clean <strong>the</strong>ir hands increased compliance (Joseph 2006).<br />

Clearly <strong>the</strong> location of sinks and d<strong>is</strong>pensers influences <strong>the</strong> actions of clinicians. If a patient <strong>is</strong> located in <strong>the</strong> middle of <strong>the</strong> room but a<br />

nurse has to go past <strong>the</strong>m to get to a sink near <strong>the</strong> window <strong>the</strong>y are less likely to do so because of <strong>the</strong> inconvenience. In <strong>the</strong> same<br />

way if <strong>the</strong> sink <strong>is</strong> located behind <strong>the</strong> door so that <strong>the</strong>y have to walk in, close <strong>the</strong> door, turn <strong>the</strong>ir back to <strong>the</strong> patient and <strong>the</strong>n wash<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir hands <strong>the</strong>y are, again, less likely to comply.<br />

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