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Medical staff still not washing hands enough
the low numbers for hand washing were recorded despite the fact medical staff were aware they were being observed. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / FREE PRESS ARCHIVES)
Medical staff in Winnipeg hospitals continue to ignore basic hand-washing rules, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says.
New figures provided today show that more than 50 per cent of hospital staff in the city do not wash their hands when they should.
St Boniface hospital had the highest compliance rate among city hospitals at a lowly 58 per cent. The lowest compliance rate was at Victoria General Hospital at 42 per cent.
"We can and must do better," said WRHA president Arlene Wilgosh, who addressed a packed theatre of health-care workers and students at an event called Bug Day at the Health Sciences Centre.
Wigosh provided hospital breakdowns for doctors, nurses and health-care aides. She said the worst offenders were doctors.
Hand-washing compliance for MDs ranged from 46 per cent at Concordia to 17 per cent at St. Boniface, the latter figure drawing gasps from the crowd.
Wilgosh said the low numbers were recorded despite the fact medical staff were aware they were being observed.
"All of them knew they were being watched. So I'd assume the'd be on their best behaviour."
And if anyone needs lessons on hand washing, maybe they should ask their kids, Manitoba’s health minister Theresa Oswald told reporters at a news conference to kick off the province’s annual free-flu shot campaign.
"Any adult that wants a lesson in hand washing... should drop in at their local day care," Oswald said, in response to the study.
Oswald chose to launch the annual flu shot campaign, which will cost $4.7 million to inoculate every man woman and child, at the Quick Care Clinic in the North End.
"When people get the shot they are protecting themselves as well as their friends and families who might be at an increased risk of serious illness. The flu shot is available at no charge to all Manitoba and can help people stay well during the flu season," Oswald said.
She added during a break in the press conference that she gets the shot every year, even though she’s "as healthy as an ox."
History
Updated on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 11:51 AM CDT: Adds comments from Minister of Health Theresa Oswald.
3:56 PM: Corrects spelling of Manitoba.
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