Random music quote of the day: Robert Palmer

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” Her loving is so powerful… the woman is invincible
… She used to look good to me but now I find her simply irresistible”

– Simply Irresistible, Robert Palmer

Happy Tuesday y’alls!

HAIs: Infections anyone?

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So now you know how to spot and prevent potential skin or nail infections when you hit up your nail tech for your weekly nail fix. Homey don’t play with nail infections; we’re entirely too fabulous for that. But what about HAIs? Healthcare-Associated Infections. That which happens when you go to the hospital or your doctor’s office and leave sicker than when you arrived.

A nail infection is bad enough, but what about one that takes over your entire body, one that can potentially result in death? Ain’t nothing scarier than leaving your healthcare provider with a more deadly condition than you went there with.

It’s not as far fetched as you may think. Actually, it’s a global crisis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that at any one point in time, 1.4 people worldwide suffer from infections that they have picked up in a hospital. 

A 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximated 98,987 deaths from healthcare associated infections in 2007. If you think that’s alarming, multiply this number by anywhere from 2 to 20 and you get the approximate amount of deaths from HAIs in developing countries.

That’s easily the entire population of your dream Caribbean destination wiped off the face of the earth in one year, just because a procedure as simple as hand sanitization or wearing gloves/ masks was overlooked by a healthcare facilitiy. The best defense is to control the spread of diseases before they start through awareness and education of both medical professionals and patients alike. 

Indeed, healthcare associated infections greatly increase the cost per patient as they often lead to lengthened hospitalization and increased likelihood of readmission; an estimated $6.7 billion to healthcare facilities in U.S. annually. However, the cost of human life is even higher. 

The top three types of HAIs are:

1. Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

A global issue, VAP is one of the top concerns of practicing doctors today. It is the source of the highest morbidity and mortality of all HAIs and may account for up to 60% of all deaths from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the U.S.  Read more about VAP. 

2. Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)

Any opening of a patient’s skin can lead to surgical site infections. SSIs may be caused by:

- Complications from surgical hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature)
- Contamination of the incision area by micro-organisms that reside on the skin
- Bacterial cross-contamination i.e. spreading germs, bacteria and/or disease by carrying them from an infected area to a non-infected area
- Surgical instrument contamination

 Read more about global SSI statistics. 

3. Cross Contamination (Contact Transfer)

Touch contamination is the number one source of HAIs. Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that, “Clean hands are the single most important factor in preventing the spread of dangerous germs and antibiotic resistance in healthcare settings.”

Most of us have been bombarded with PSAs regarding hand washing, especially in the wake of the H1N1 virus. Image taking your healthy kid to the pediatrician and then leaving with the swine flu virus. 

HAIs can also result in infections in the blood stream, a surgical wound, urinary tract, as well as pneumonia. Still, the reality is that even with the best intentions, just like us, healthcare workers do not always wash and disinfect their hands as much as they should.

According to Kimberly-Clark Health Care, hand hygiene, the use of gloves, masks, and other personal protective apparel are the first line of defense in preventing the spread of infection from person to person within healthcare settings. Read more on cross contamination.

HealthCare Associated Infection (HAI) Hand Washing Video

More information on the impact of healthcare-associated infections on both medical professionals and patients can be found at www.hainews.com 

Just as you would expect your nail tech to sanitize hands and disinfect nail implements, don’t be afraid to say “Hold up there buddy!” and request that your doctor or health care provider sanitize hands and wear gloves/ masks, where appropriate. See that instruments and implements are stored appropriately and are clean. See that disposable items that come into contact with your skin are ripped right out of a spanking new package. Are there hand sanitizers in the office? If what you can see is not right, what does that leave for that which goes on behind the scenes? I mean, it’s only your life we are dealing with here.

It is your right to protect your health.

Don’t let healthcare associated infections happen on your watch. 

 

Supernova

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Works Consulted:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.hainews.com
HAI News Release
 

Related GC post
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What would you do?: Infection Control

Holiday Glam: Hair Bling

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My very best time of year is approaching, Holiday Season. 

Good food + Good parties = Good times with family and friends

Incorporate one of these looks to transform a simple everyday look into a night one and stunt on your ‘not-so-good’ peeps:

 

1. Messy
Super neat and sleek hair has no personality. Accentuate your playful side with a touchable messy do.
Update a glam updo with a loose messy bun rather than a slick sculptured one. 

2. Sparkle
Add sparkly accessories  - barrettes, clips and Swarovski pins to update and dress up a simple ‘do. 
Less is more – One statement piece or mix and match a few small pieces.
For a sophisticated chic, stick to simple, abstract designs. No pink hearts. No Hello Kitty. No tiaras.
If you wear statement pieces in your hair, keep earrings and necklaces that frame the face minimal. 
This season, feathers are an excellent statement-piece alternative to large flowers which can tend to look bridal or beauty-pagent-ish.

3. Textured locks
Thread sparkly ribbon between braided locks or braids  to create a dimensional texture. Keep it to one colour to avoid looking like the host’s christmas tree. Maybe a sparkly gold, silver, black or even red,  depending on your hair color and outfit.
Can also work when woven into locks or braids that are neatly pulled back into a bun or chignon.

4. Shine
Work gloss serum or pomade in hair according to texture. for a more relaxed look, spray a little sheen on brush or comb and work through hair. A little goes a long way, adding too much will weigh down tresses. 

5. UpBraid
Add a few unexpected plaits or braids to an updo for asymmetrical chic

6. Play with natural texture
Add color. Warm high lights bring out your festive side.
Well placed warm colored sections around face will brighten up your skin and add dimension to hair in a a season of all-black-everything. This look doesn’t have to be permanent. Transform your look with well placed clip in pieces. 

 

Get glammified.

Supernova

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