Impact of a 5-minute scrub on the microbial flora found on artificial, polished, or natural fingernails of operating room personnel.
Edel et al.'s (1998) study gave support to the idea that fingernail treatments may put patients at increased risk due to the bacteria carried by nurses or other health care providers. The results of this study could be used to support a research utilization project to educate nurses of the increased risk of infecting patients due to fingernail treatments. Feasibility issues include the cost and time to revise hospital policies concerning fingernail treatments and to educate nurses in the workplace. Future research is needed with larger sample sizes and to investigate possible transmission of infectious bacteria to patients.
Clark
Jessalynn Powers
JP
Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky, USA.