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The implications of healthcare professionals wearing jewelry on patient care biosafety: observational insights and experimental approaches

Authors :
Isabela Fernanda Larios Fracarolli
Evandro Watanabe
Viviane de Cássia Oliveira
Marinila Buzanelo Machado
Felipe Lazarini Bim
Lucas Lazarini Bim
Denise de Andrade
Maria Helena Palucci Marziale
Source :
Scientific Reports, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Nature Portfolio, 2024.

Abstract

Abstract The use of jewelry among healthcare professionals poses a risk of cross contamination due to potential bacterial accumulation and spread. Through a mixed-method design, this study first analyzed the implications of healthcare professionals wearing jewelry on patient care biosafety as well as on the residual bacterial load of hands and rings after hand hygiene. Firstly, an observational prevalence study to verify whether nursing professionals wear personal accessories during healthcare assistance was carried out. Second, an experimental design involving intentional contamination and hygiene of the hands, with and without a ring, was conducted. The bacterial load of both hands and rings was measured by counting colony forming units. The observational study showed that nursing workers frequently wear jewelry during healthcare assistance. Nonetheless, the experimental study did not indicate differences in bacterial contamination between hands with and without a ring, despite the hand hygiene procedure applied. In conclusion, many nursing workers wear jewelry in the workplace. Although hands with and without a ring exhibited similar microbial load, rings appeared as a potential source of bacterial contamination, reinforcing the need to remove jewelry during working hours. Hand hygiene using alcohol, or soap and water significantly decreased the bacterial load on the participants’ hands, with handwashing proving to be the most efficient method for removing intentional contamination.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20452322
Volume :
14
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Scientific Reports
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.2e90987294d6428b80e78b8ad1382d42
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69711-x