Jewellery and Nail Polish Worn by Health Care Workers and the Risk of Infection Transmission: A Review of Clinical Evidence and Guidelines [Internet].

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are considered an important public health problem. In a 2012 report by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), it was estimated that 5% to 10% of patients hospitalized in Canada will develop a HAI. Pathogens (microorganisms) that cause HAIs can be transmitted from other patients, hospital personnel, or the hospital/medical centre environment. Microorganisms can be transmitted to patients via direct or indirect contact, and health care workers are often the conduit for this transmission. These microorganisms can include such pathogens as Clostridium difficile and antibiotic-resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The hands of a health care worker can become contaminated by any procedures involving contact with patients, including taking a pulse, blood pressure, or body temperature. The health care worker may then have contact with other patients, resulting in cross-transmission or cross-infection from health care worker to patient.

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