Re: Adam Cresswell’s ‘Nothing but the truth’ (11/9).
He made the very good point that perception is part of the task in achieving high rates of vaccination. That includes the way issues are reported (and headlined) in the national newspapers. It’s worth reinforcing the baneful influence of anti-vaccinationists, especially in the context of tragic deaths of neonates from pertussis.
However, poor presentation was evident in television news articles on the multi-dose vial question. On at least two occasions where Jim Bishop was refuting criticisms of safety hazards, the news item used file footage of a woman administering vaccine from a multi-dose vial. This woman, presumably a qualified nurse, had blatantly long, artificial fingernails. Remember that it was infectious diseases experts who were raising concerns about safety of vials and they specifically mentioned the risks associated with bacterial contamination of vials. It’s an obvious point that vaccinators’ hands would be the source of most contaminants. Infectious disease experts comprise a large segment of support for Hand Hygiene Australia, and HHA’s own document states “HCWs with artificial nails are more likely than those with natural nails to harbour gram-negative pathogens on their fingertips. The consensus recommendations from WHO are that HCWs do not wear artificial fingernails or extenders when having direct contact with patients and natural nails should be kept short (< 0.5cm long).”
Surveys of the hand hygiene practised by clinical personnel keep reporting poor standards of care in some sectors. If trained personnel are perceived to flout the rules, it’s no wonder lay persons become confused about the purpose of promoting good practice that based on scientific evidence. Monkey see, monkey do.
September 9, 2009
To Australian Doctor
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