Anyone know the answer to this, Are all the sheets and pillow cases that have been used by patients thrown away after use, or do they go to the laundry for Washing and Reuse ??
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Stay Well
Anyone know the answer to this, Are all the sheets and pillow cases that have been used by patients thrown away after use, or do they go to the laundry for Washing and Reuse ??
Stay Well
Stay Well
Yes that's my understanding just wondering do the Laundry Staff have full PPE ?
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There are strict guidelines about managing contaminated bed sheets be it blood or other body fluids.
The materials are double bagged in a red plastic bag warning it is a bio hazard and the staff handling the bags will be wearing personal protective equipment. The bags are placed in a designated separate area.
There will be domestic staff throughly cleaning the beds, floors etc too.
There are many unsung heroes in the system of care of all patients.
I agree 100% about the many unsung heroes
I am still trying to understand how a Dr or Nurse has caught the Coronavirus when they had PPE, did they contract it in the Ward or out in the Home or travel to Work Area ??. Or was it a failure in the management of the Patient. I am really just trying to understand the process.
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That is a very important question.
The most risky part is taking the PPE off correctly called doffing.
The nurse who sadly died just after giving birth had not been at work for a month before she became ill.
Even with the best possible infection control procedures staff can still become infected.
A British nurse caught Ebola and was very lucky to survive a couple of years ago.
The answer is as the WHO recommends test test test.
The hospital where the nurse worked is one of three major hospitals that triangulate me. She died two days after her father and it is thought (but not proven) that she contacted it from him.
As we do not test and trace we will never really know where medics contracted the virus.
Hi Moonflower
It only lives for about 72 hours on a Hard Surface so it would be OK . My understanding (but open to Correction ) you only need a solution of Bleach and Water to clean off the contaminated Surface.
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I hope you haven't got Covid19.
Have you contacted 111 for further advice?
Here is the advice about how to clean your house.
Really not sure what this has to do with BHF forum. But I doubt if anyone will discover where or when you catch a virus. And to ask if a failure in management was to blame ? Really ?
Excuse me I have an excellent chance of being admitted to Hospital in the next few days. Hence my question.
I removed my comment that was a little sharp
Then ask your hospital. Hope it goes well for you. It did not get “up my nose” but does it help at this time. A question for another time and another place
The BHF have highlighted the issue of patients not seeking help in time.
People are afraid of putting any extra burden on the NHS and of becoming infected with the coronavirus themselves.
Hospital acquired infection is a well known risk of any admission to hospital.
bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-...
Hi Milkfairy
Yes I understand that and I was forewarned of any Risk.
I hope it can be resolved without having to go in !! My Blood pressure appears to be going up and down along with my pulse for no apparent reason !!
160/85 HR 50 90/60 HR 80 it would appear with Entresto and a 7.5mg Bisoprolol it shouldn't be doing this when I am at Rest.
Think I maybe could do with a new one ( Heart That Is )!!
Figures are not especially High or Low but I am aware of when it changes. No mention of AF I think that is only when it goes really Fast !!
Entresto has changed my Heart Beat I used to have thousands of Ectopics Beats but they have disappeared !!!
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You stay well too.
If in your own home I think that the items have to be washed in their own load in the highest temp possible. Avoid shaking them before washing as it may spread particles.
Hi good question, The washing process is very efficient, all hospital bedding, scrubs etc are boil washed I think it highly unlikely a virus would be able to survive the process, and bear in mind its shelf life on surfaces is only a couple of hours. Hope that puts your mind at rest.
Craige.
JH reports that washing at over 25° kills the Covid19 virus.
Johns Hopkins University has sent this detailed note on avoiding the contagion:
* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered
by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of
the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation)
and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is
not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the
temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.
* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin
outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy,
because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20
seconds or more, to make a lot of foam). By dissolving the fat layer, the
protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees
Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water
makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.
* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT,
especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the
protein, breaks it down from the inside.
* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because
peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it
hurts your skin.
* NO BACTERICIDE SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria;
they cannot kill what is not alive with antibiotics, but quickly
disintegrate its structure with everything said.
* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued
to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only between 3 hours
(fabric and porous), 4 hours (copper, because it is naturally antiseptic;
and wood, because it removes all the moisture and does not let it peel off
and disintegrates). ), 24 hours (cardboard), 42 hours (metal) and 72 hours
(plastic). But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules
float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.
* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as
air conditioners in houses and cars. They also need moisture to stay
stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and
bright environments will degrade it faster.
* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein.
For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also
breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin, eventually causing
wrinkles and skin cancer.
* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.
* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer
of fat.
* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and
you need 65%.
* LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.
* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there
can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
* This is super said, but you have to wash your hands before and after
touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone,
watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.
* You have to HUMIDIFY HANDS DRY from so much washing them, because the
molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the
better.
* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.
Thanks Cat04 , that made the whole thread worthwhile.
Now, where’s that bottle of listerine 😉😂
Having worked in a residential home tge process for washing soiled sheets was to red bag any when stripping the beds which were put straight in to the washing machines where the bag rips open in the process and contents are washed without being removed by laundry staff. Maybe the same process in hospital laundrys! Once washed at boiling point all germs removed x
I would hope they are washed and reused otherwise what a waste 😖 infected linen was bagged in a red dissolveable bag so no one had to touch it other than the nurse who bagged it.
So the sheets and all bedding is put in alginate bags which are then put in bio hazard bags doubled bagged. The staff handling the bags are in full PPE. The alginate bag breaks down when the laundry is washed at very high temperature.
they have a very effective laundry in hospitals which is where I assume you mean
All hospital laundry is washed at 78degrees C which kills all known germs . Laundry is only thrown away ( incineration ) if it is condemned due to blood or body fluids being impossible to remove. You should not have to worry about the linen .