Infection Protection

For me, I follow the same universal precautions they've been teaching for decades: frequent hand washing and sanitizing, wearing of gloves, apron, and mask when appropriate, proper needle and waste disposal, etc. I wear glasses instead of contacts and I keep an eye out for patients with HIV, Hep, etc

Are there in products or brands that you recommend for hand washing and sanitizing?

You should do both - wash often with soap and water and sanitize in between. I buy Purell and use the no name stuff the hospital buys. I don't think brand is as importance as practice

I think CNN has been eavesdropping on us..

Here is an article they released today about hand sanitizers, which are best and how to use them: Hand sanitizer: How it protects you

That's a great article, more people need to get this great info.

First and foremost, frequent handwashing. Awareness of the germs you are aware of and what can lead to develop the bugs that are predictable to present themselves. I know that it is not me that I do not have the health and safety issue with, it's the others. Have you ever worked on a treatment cart and looked at the lids, jars, tubes etc. and wonder how many people that one item was used on because if one person runs out, you know that the other tube will be used in it's place. Upon my arrival at work, before I took a cart, I would take out my little bottle of disinfectant and spray down the top of the cart and any hand contact areas that I would possibly touch during my shift because when I arrive there would be blood strips, used gloves, old cloths sitting on top of the cart. I would wipe the telephone that I would be using as well as the desk area and this is not paranoia, this is for real that the nurses were so irresponsible or just were not aware of the consequences of touching contaminated objects. It was a struggle for me because I was asked to stop doing this. So, I guess I can redirect the question back to you about working in unsanitary environments. I don't mind cleaning patients because I treat them how I would want to be treated. I know the difference between "hazardous wastes" and just "trash". I paid attention in school, especially in science, health, and math. That's how it all adds up. Huh

And of course, wear gloves consistently, not just when you think it might.....friend or foe, family or stranger, nice or mean. ALL THE TIME.