Hospitals and health systems are ramping up hygiene standards to help curb healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), according to an article on The Wall Street Journal website.
Examples of heightened hygiene practices include:
Stamford (Conn.) Health has prioritized "environmental hygiene" on items such as telephones, call buttons, IV poles and stethoscopes, but their biggest focus is on computer keyboards. The 305-bed, nonprofit facility now has a computer in every patient room so the staff isn’t taking potentially germy computers from room to room.
The Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Va., is using copper to fight superbugs. Sentara installed copper countertops, bed rails, bed tables and other furniture. It also began using copper-infused linens, including patient gowns, bed sheets, towels and washcloths.