Infection control implications of the laundering of ambulance staff uniforms and reusable mops.

There is a lack of published studies on laundering in ambulance services. We performed bacterial culture on soiled and unsoiled uniforms and reusable mop heads artificially contaminated with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium difficile spores. Current laundering processes used for routine cleans in the ambulances appears, from our simulations, to be effective at reducing vegetative pathogenic bacteria to undetectable levels, <3.398log10 colony-forming units (S. aureus and E. coli). Reduced levels of C. difficile were still detected after laundering but the risk this poses for infection is unknown, as background levels of these spores in the environment are unknown.

Pharmacist attire and its impact on patient preference / Vestimenta del farmacéutico y su impacto en las preferencias de los pacientes

Objective: To determine the influence of demographics on patient preferences for community pharmacist attire. Methods: A 10-item questionnaire was developed and administered to patients visiting a chain pharmacy or an independent pharmacy in the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area. Mann– Whitney was used to examine if statistical differences existed in chain versus independent pharmacy patient’s selections based on pharmacist attire. Results: A statistically significant difference in patient preference for pharmacist attire between the settings in regards to which pharmacist patients felt was more approachable was observed; 51.2% of chain pharmacy respondents compared to 30% of independent pharmacy respondents identified the pharmacist pair with business formal attire and white coat as more approachable. Differences in education was also apparent with 70% of respondents in the independent pharmacy setting reporting having a Bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 45% of respondents in the chain pharmacy setting. Conclusion: With the exception of approachability, patients indicated preference for pharmacist with the white coat regardless of community setting. Given the importance of patient-pharmacist communication for building successful patientpharmacist relationships, if patients do not perceive the pharmacists as approachable, communication and subsequent development of said relationships may not occur regardless of perceived knowledge and competency (AU)

Objetivo: Determinar la influencia de la demografía en las preferencias de los pacientes por la vestimenta de los farmacéuticos comunitarios. Métodos: Se desarrolló y administró un cuestionario de 10 preguntas a pacientes que visitan una farmacia comunitaria de cadena y una independiente en el área metropolitana de Birmingham, Alabama. Se usó el test de Mann- Whitney para determinar si existen diferencias entre las farmacias de cadena e independientes en la selección de los pacientes de la vestimenta de los farmacéuticos. Resultados: Se observó una diferencia significativa en las preferencias de los pacientes en los dos tipos de establecimientos en relación a que farmacéutico sentían más próximo: 51,2% de los respondentes de cadenas comparado con el 30% de los de farmacias independientes identifico al par de farmacéuticos con vestimenta formal de empresa y bata blanca como más próximo. Las diferencias en educación también fueron aparentes, con un 70% de los respondentes en farmacia independiente con una licenciatura o superior, comparado con el 45% de los respondentes en farmacias de cadena. Conclusión: Con excepción de la proximidad, los pacientes indicaron su preferencia por farmacéuticos con bata blanca independientemente del tipo de establecimiento. Dada la importancia de la comunicación paciente-farmacéutico para construir una relación exitosa, si los pacientes no perciben al farmacéutico como próximo, la comunicación y el consiguiente desarrollo de la citada relación puede no ocurrir, independientemente de los conocimientos y competencia percibidos (AU)

Provision and decontamination of uniforms in the NHS.

AIM: To ascertain the provision and decontamination of uniforms within a cross-section of NHS trusts in the UK and to compare policies regarding their use. METHOD: A questionnaire was circulated to 170 NHS trust infection control teams in the UK. Eighty-six (51 per cent) responses were received, which represented 101 NHS trusts. RESULTS: Less than half of the trusts (47 per cent) provide adequate numbers of uniforms to allow a clean uniform per shift. Only 26 per cent had adequate on-site staff changing facilities and 65 per cent did not launder uniforms. The majority of nursing staff (91 per cent) were compelled, by a combination of these factors, to launder their uniforms at home. Few were provided with any guidance on how to do this safely. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for minimum standards to be set for the provision of uniforms, laundering and changing facilities, to minimise the potential for spread of healthcare-associated infections.

The path to corporate responsibility.

Nike's tagline,"Just do it," is an inspirational call to action for the millions who wear the company's athletic gear. But in terms of corporate responsibility, Nike didn't always follow its own advice. In the 1990s, protesters railed against sweatshop conditions at some of its overseas suppliers and made Nike the global poster child for corporate ethical fecklessness. The intense pressure that activists exerted on the athletic apparel giant forced it to take a long, hard look at corporate responsibility--sooner than it might have otherwise. In this article, Simon Zadek, CEO of the UK-based institute AccountAbility, describes the bumpy route Nike has traveled to get to a better ethical place, one that cultivates and champions responsible business practices. Organizations learn in unique ways, Zadek contends, but they inevitably pass through five stages of corporate responsibility, from defensive ("It's not our fault") to compliance ("We'll do only what we have to") to managerial ("It's the business") to strategic ("It gives us a competitive edge") and, finally, to civil ("We need to make sure everybody does it"). He details Nike's arduous trek through these stages-from the company's initial defensive stance, when accusations about working conditions arose, all the way to its engagement today in the international debate about business's role in society and in public policy. As he outlines this evolution, Zadek offers valuable insights to executives grappling with the challenge of managing responsible business practices. Beyond just getting their own houses in order, the author argues, companies need to stay abreast of the public's evolving ideas about corporate roles and responsibilities. Organizations that do both will engage in what he calls"civil learning".

Clothing exchanges for Medicaid members boost immunizations, encourage well-child visits.

Want your Medicaid members to get their vaccinations and well-child visits? Try encouraging them with an incentive system that offers something they can use, like children's clothing. Arizona Physicians IPA Inc., a Phoenix-based Medicaid managed care organization, uses clothing exchanges to encourage preventive utilization and give members access to community outreach programs.

The other healthcare market. Doctors' offices and medical clinics are a profitable and growing market niche for some operators.

The healthcare market doesn't just mean hospitals anymore. For some textile rental operators, doctors' offices and medical clinics are a profitable and growing niche. On the positive side, this market offers growth, low abuse, good prices, and light soil. But operators also must weigh the cons--scattered deliveries, low volume, small stops, and medical waste management. Is the "other" healthcare market for you?