My friend Karen brought up a good topic today, and I was just about to blog about this very thing, as I took a photo last night to add to the topic. She was curious about Steve not having any immune system yet having visitors.
He is on a special floor in the hospital that has immunosuppressed patients. No latex balloons or live plants are allowed. Both wings are negative air pressure environments; visitors have to pass through two sets of double doors where the pressure is equalized from outside to inside. They use special HVAC filters that remove allergens and other fine particulates in the air.
A hand-washing station is located between those sets. He is tested for VRE at admit and once weekly. Until a patient tests negative for VRE (and I think MRSA too, not sure), staff entering his room must mask, gown and glove. Once they determine the patient is negative, no one needs to do that anymore.
The huge issue is visitors, and the staff has cheerfully informed us they are experts at tossing the ignorant out to the curb! 80% of all germs are passed from hands. Masks are available throughout the hospital in kiosks, as well as anti-bacterial wipes and gel dispensers. He has two sinks in his room as well, and there are public washrooms conveniently located on the floor.
They will put food brought from home or from a restaurant in a floor fridge if it does not go in his room at arrival; further, if he has leftovers, they cannot go from his room to the fridge as it could cross-contaminate to other patients food.
Now, errrrrbody wash their hands and have a nice day!
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