Hand Hygiene: A Big Deal Before Covid

There is more to know about hand hygiene than you would think.  First, poor hand hygiene is the number one cause of the spread of infectious disease in a hospital system.  When you wash your hand you should no skimp on the soap, not the time.  To prevent chapping or side effects form lots of washing you should pat your hands dry over rubbing them dry.  Also after washing your hands you should turn the water off with a towel rather than touch the handle and get your hands dirty again.  Rings are not recommended while working.  They have sharp edges which can cause injury.  Germs seem to gather under a ring.  And finally those who wear a ring have a tendency to wash their hands less often.

E-Training: Hazardous Materials

The most important detail here is to be aware if you work with hazardous material you are entitled to see the Material Safety Data Sheets.  These sheets include identification of the material, identifies the manufacturer, safe handling, description and what to do for crisis situations.  I don't work directly with these materials but they are around at home and at work.  It is best to know what you are doing when using them

**E-training: Cultural Diversity

Working in  county with people from all over the world it is important to have respect for people from all cultures.  I like one of the standards suggested, remember that people are individuals even inside their culture.  Other suggestions include showing respect for all people, know how your own culture influences you, be sensitive to the culture of others, provide services in a native language or through interpreter if necessary.  Culture includes customs, language, religion, ethnicity, heritage and community.

**E-Training: Fire Safety

This hits home in my life right now as I heal from a burn on my back after lighting myself on fire.  Fire is something you have to be carful with, and there are many sources of burns in our homes and at work.   Fire requires three things, heat, oxygen and fuel.  You fight fire by removing one of these things.  When you discover a fire in the hospital RACE--Rescue or remove those at risk, Initiate alert system, Contain the fire (such as closing door) and Extinguish.  As for using the extinguisher pull the pin, aim at the base, squeeze the handle and sweep from side to side.

**E-Training: Infectious Diseases

The things I took from this training is that the two most important methods to avoid spreading germs and disease is to wash you hands frequently and the second is to cough correctly; not into you hand but into the crook of your elbow.  Being aware of these two measure will go a long way to prevent the spread of disease.

**E-Training Tuberculosis

I always have about 20 e-trainings to do each year.  I also have to get checked door TB annually, and got my poke yesterday, to be read tomorrow.  Risk of Tb is greater for those from countries with high tuberculosis, those with low resistance, and for those in close contact with others, such as in group settings or in jail.  Regular checks are important for these people.  Also of importance is the rapid increase in treatment-resistive tuberculosis.  For this reason it is important to verify that people take their medication.

**Podemos Ayudar: Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hot Line: Spanish

**Repaso de Folleto: Si tira el aceite usado nos empapara a todos

La idea en este folleto es si tire el aceite, este sigue al mar, yd todos entonces tenemos que jugar en el aceite.  En vez de hacer esto, debe recicle el aceite, y tambien los filtros usados.  Si se cambia el aceite en un shop entonces la gente alli van a reciclar el aceite.  Si no, es importante hacerlo Ud mismo.

bolsa des reciclar.  Puede cerarse.

**Pamphlet Review: When You Dump Used Oil We All Get Soaked

The idea behind this pamphlet is that if you dump your oil in the gutter (which flows to the ocean eventually) then you are making it so everyone has to play in your used oil.  It suggest using a recycle station as an alternative.  By recycling used oil and oil filters (which can contain 45 percent oil by weight) we can protect the environment and prevent water pollutions, public health situations and preserve natural resources.  Of course if you have your oil changed at a shop, this does not apply.

This is a sealable bag for you used oil filter.

**Pain Isn't Always Obvious: Know the SIgns

**Poster: Pain Isn't Always Obvioius

Another poster reminding us that suicide is preventable.  There are now over 80,000 suicides annually in the United States.  Too many families are effected by this tragedy.  If you are feeling suicidal, reach out for help.  The Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis number is 1-855-278-4204.  If you think someone you know may be suicidal, please take action.  You can call the same number for advice.

**Early Patient Engagement Tied to Psychosis Outcomes

Early patient engagement tied to psychosis outcomes by Whitney McKnight Clinical Psychiatry News Nov 2015; from the American Journal of Psychiatry 

This article concludes Integrated, patient-centered treatment delivered earlier in people with first-episode psychosis leads to better outcomes than standard community care.  Dr. Thomas R. Insel outgoing director of the National Institute of Mental health said, “These results demonstrate the importance of early detection, early engagement, and integrated care following the onset of psychosis.”  This is based on a study by RAISE, Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode.  Key clinical point is that early integrated treatment for firs-episode psychosis delivered in a community setting can help patients stay functional and productive.  Also quality of life is improved as demonstrated by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Shizophrenia. 

There is hope, but early intervention is vital.  This seems a common theme for many illnesses.

**Does Psychiatric Treatment Prevent Suicide?

Does psychiatric treatment prevent suicide: by Dinah Miller M.D.Clinical Psychiatry News, November 2015.

The title of this article presents an interesting question.  More than ever Americans take antidepressants.  However more than ever, Americans commit suicide.  The medications are effective in treating depression, and with depression suicidal thoughts.  However, the statistics do not match for some reason.  40,000 Americans died of suicide in 2013.  At the same time 11 percent of Americans over the age of 12 take antidepressant medication.  It would seem these two stats are at odds with each other.  The author points out it is hard to have a closed sample where study of why this would be can take place.  However, studies are beginning to show that medications with talk therapy are an effective means of preventing suicide and treating depression.  [personal thoughts on the topic and I am not a doctor; sometimes antidepressants work on increasing energy, which is also a symptom of depression, before dealing with the suicidal ideation.  The low energy often keeps patients from acting on suicidal thoughts.  However with increased energy, and if these suicidal thoughts aren’t adequately dealt with in therapy or treatment, there is a period where patients are at risk.]  The conclusion is that more study needs to be done to figure out why these statistics are not congruent. However combining therapy with medications greatly reduces the risk of suicide.

**Folleto: Proteja a su Nino Contra el Plomo

Este folleto habla de cosas que podemos hacer para proteger a nuestra familia contra el plomo.  Lavarse las manos es muy importante, comer comidas saludables, a veces los dulces de otros paices contienen plomo.  Limpiar bueno la casa es importante.  A veces la pintura contiene plomo.  Los ninos no deben morder las paredes.  Pero tambien la pintura puede cambiar a un polvo ye se debe evitar esto.  A veces productos para para servir comida como platos y vasos contienen el plomo.  La tierra tambien puede contener plomo.  Por esta rason debe sacar los zapatos al entrar la case.  tambien debe cubrir la tierra.

**Pamphlet Review: Protect Your Child from Lead

This little pamphlet suggests plenty of places where lead might by hiding, and gives suggestions to reduce the risk.  Keeping a child's hands clean is a good way to avoid lead, as well as germs.  We all know about old paints, and not letting a child chew on walls, etc.   The paint also turns to powder, so it is important to keep surfaces clean.  Other sources of lead may be imported dishes,   soil can also be a culprit.  It is important to avoid having spots of open soil where children play.  A ground cover of bark or grass is important.  They also give the idea of leaving shoes at the door as ways to avoid the spread of lead.  This is the first time I heard a good reason for living shoes at the door.  Changing clothes after work will avoid spreading lead you may have accumulated during the day.  Bullets and wishing sinker and stained glass supplies contain lead.  If you fear your child may have too much lead you can ask his/her doctor for a test.