Document text
Hospitals ban bacteria-ridden fake nails Eight infant deaths in Oklahoma City neonatal intensive care linked to artificial nails From wire and staff reports Artificial nails are common in many workplaces, but it looks like we'll be seeing fewer and fewer of them in hospitals. Some hospitals have banned artificial nails after research found they are more likely than natural nails to harbor disease-causing pathogens. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued draft guidelines that strongly caution against health-care workers wearing artificial nails. In the late 1990s, eight infant deaths in a neonatal intensive care unit at an Oklahoma City hospital were apparently caused by infections from bacteria spread by long fingernails. The longer one wears artificial nails, the more likely there will be disease-causing organisms living underneath the nails and even on their surface. Hand-washing isn't as effective for fake-nail wearers as it is for others. Both Medford hospitals restrict the wearing of artificial nails. Providence Medford Medical Center prohibits anyone who has direct contact with patients from wearing artificial nails. Rogue Valley Medical Center prohibits artificial nails among employees who work in its neonatal intensive care unit and its surgery unit. "It's part of our infection control policy," said Providence spokeswoman Deborah Elliott. "We prohibit wearing artificial nails or nail extensions. Natural nails must be trimmed at the end of the finger." Besides nurses and patient aides, Providence's policy includes workers such as physical therapists, respiratory therapists and lab technicians. Hospital employees who do not work directly with patients may wear artificial nails. Rogue Valley Medical Center has decided against expanding its limited nail restrictions until the CDC issues its final recommendations, said Mary Barrie, director of performance improvement. "There's pretty strong evidence CDC will come out with a final rule (prohibiting artificial nails)," Barrie said. Until then, floor nurses and other RVMC employees in patient-care areas outside the surgery units and neonatal intensive care unit may wear artificial nails if they like, she said. Many women have acrylic nails applied at beauty shops and nail salons. A set costs $20 to $30, and they can be worn for several weeks to a month before they must be renewed or trimmed. Barrie said she had no idea how many employees might have to change their grooming habits if artificial nails were barred, but she suspected relatively few nurses wear fake nails. "There are just some things you can't do with longer nails," she said. "Most nurses do so much hand washing that nails aren't a high priority." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.