Many thanks to Medic for his advice involving my wife's surgery

[bullmarket]

My wife had her knee replacement surgery schedule on the 27th right after Christmas at Mercy Hospital in OKC but her doctor had an opening on December 19th after a cancellation and we took it.

I talked to Medic before her surgery and he gave excellent advice which we used.

This was my wife's second knee replacement and in the first one a few years ago my wife got a horrible bacterial infection called C-Diff in the hospital and Medic gave us great advice then and great advice now how to avoid getting another bacterial infection.

My wife came home today from the hospital and her road to recovery will be a long process but its great to have her back home. Her surgery turned out to be more evasive than anticipated as her knee had fused bone on bone and the surgeon told me he had to use a saw. I don't know how common this is, but she will require pain meds for a period of time.

Many thanks again to Medic . His common sense approach to medicine has worked perfectly for us and we very much appreciate his help and thoughts. .

 

[kcstorm06]

Medic is a solid Sooner...and an all round great guy. Have to meet the man some day.

 

[Medic007]

Geez @bullmarket, way to make me blush!!! I'm thrilled to hear her surgery went well. That's an early Christmas gift to you both and your family. Know that my thoughts are with her as she speeds toward recovery.

I'm always glad to help out friends and family where I can. Having worked in healthcare for many years, I've learned a lot of stuff that doesn't get communicated well to the public. That's not by design, but by faults in a human system.

For many years hand hygiene has been recognized as very important to reducing infection in healthcare setting. Wash your hands when you take off your gloves!!!!!! The problem with that concept is that our hands potentially come into contact with many people and many objects after that hand washing. When we go into another patient's room, and touch them and their surroundings, our hands are very likely contaminated with the bugs that exist all around us. It only makes sense to wash your hands before you contact anything or anyone in a patients room as well. That ensures that any contaminants are removed prior to any contact, and thus minimizes transfer of potentially infectious things.

Something I have championed for years, and my own employer has adopted health system wide, is the concept of wash in, wash out, just as surgeons do. I educate everyone that will listen to expect this as a patient or as the family members of a patient. You have the right and responsibility to hold healthcare providers accountable. Insist that they wash their hands thoroughly as soon as they enter the room which will greatly minimize the transfer of any infectious source to anything in your room including medical equipment, light switches, bed surfaces, YOU, etc.

Advances in technology, such as UV light robots for room sterilization, have come a long way, but the most important link in the chain of the prevention of hospital acquired infection is to ensure that the patient and their loved ones have the proper knowledge and tools to hold providers accountable for best practices such as wash in, wash out.

 

[iasooner1]

We've come a long way in the last 40 years when before one could buy and smoke cigs in the hospital room.
Unfortunately NO More 'Candy Stripers'... (or was it candy strippers ?)

 

[kcstorm06]

We've come a long way in the last 40 years when before one could buy and smoke cigs in the hospital room.
Unfortunately NO More 'Candy Stripers'... (or was it candy strippers ?)

The worst was when you could smoke heaters on the plane.

 

[Wee Willie T]

@Medic007 What about the hand sanitizer stations in the hallways at the hospital? Are they as effective as good ole soap and water?

I've also observed many people washing their hands by dabbing a little soap on and rinsing for a couple of seconds. Always heard you need to scrub with soap & water for at least 20 seconds then rinse.

Shouldn't we insist that anyone who enters the room wash or sterilize? Are most of the folks who take vitals and draw blood required to wash in advance? Thanks

Bull, glad to hear your wife's surgery went well.

 

[Doc Halliday]

I was going to have a partial knee replacement on January 5th but found out we do not have short term disability insurance where i work so I cancelled.I will just wait until it gets too bad like I did my back and have it done.

 

[Medic007]

@Medic007 What about the hand sanitizer stations in the hallways at the hospital? Are they as effective as good ole soap and water?

I've also observed many people washing their hands by dabbing a little soap on and rinsing for a couple of seconds. Always heard you need to scrub with soap & water for at least 20 seconds then rinse.

Shouldn't we insist that anyone who enters the room wash or sterilize? Are most of the folks who take vitals and draw blood required to wash in advance? Thanks

Bull, glad to hear your wife's surgery went well.

The hand sanitizer is good for eliminating most of the bad stuff, but not all, especially spore forming pathogens like C diff. Those hand sanitizer stations are mostly for the visitors.

A few seconds is not appropriate hand washing just as you indicated. A minimum of 20 seconds of vigorous rubbing is recommended followed by a thorough rinse.

And yes, you should insist anyone that enters the room wash their hands prior to doing anything including touching any surface. Someone's C diff might be lurking on the handle they used to enter the room. "I washed my hands before I came in" is no longer good enough.

 

[sooners49]

I have CLL(Chronic Lymphocitic Leukemia)so I understand about the concern over infections after surgery.That's one reason I put off surgery on my knee.I got a REAL bad infection in 2004 after a vasectomy of all things and spent 5 days in the hospital on a constant I.V. drip.You need to take every precaution you can.Thanks medic for putting that out there.

 

[bullmarket]

I have CLL(Chronic Lymphocitic Leukemia)so I understand about the concern over infections after surgery.That's one reason I put off surgery on my knee.I got a REAL bad infection in 2004 after a vasectomy of all things and spent 5 days in the hospital on a constant I.V. drip.You need to take every precaution you can.Thanks medic for putting that out there.

Much good luck and good health to you.

 

[Wee Willie T]

@Medic007 What about the hand sanitizer stations in the hallways at the hospital? Are they as effective as good ole soap and water?

I've also observed many people washing their hands by dabbing a little soap on and rinsing for a couple of seconds. Always heard you need to scrub with soap & water for at least 20 seconds then rinse.

Shouldn't we insist that anyone who enters the room wash or sterilize? Are most of the folks who take vitals and draw blood required to wash in advance? Thanks

Bull, glad to hear your wife's surgery went well.

The hand sanitizer is good for eliminating most of the bad stuff, but not all, especially spore forming pathogens like C diff. Those hand sanitizer stations are mostly for the visitors.

A few seconds is not appropriate hand washing just as you indicated. A minimum of 20 seconds of vigorous rubbing is recommended followed by a thorough rinse.

And yes, you should insist anyone that enters the room wash their hands prior to doing anything including touching any surface. Someone's C diff might be lurking on the handle they used to enter the room. "I washed my hands before I came in" is no longer good enough.

Good info. Thanks Medic.

 

[iasooner1]

Every time I've had a procedure this year I've been 'given' a bottle of Scrub-Stat (2% chlorhexidine gluconate) for pre surgery cleansing and have enough stashed away to water down a bit & fill the dispensers primarily in the bathroom. It works fairly well. One question first posed by 22 that none of my other engineer friends have ever resolved is "how can one be sanitary when the pump on the soap dispenser is always contaminated ?"

You must be careful relying on the MedicMan's diagnoses via phone or email; I described my symptoms a few years ago to him. Went to Mayo Rochester and the Neurology Dept not only dismissed Sean's opinion BUT now I have MS...
I learned a permanent & valuable lesson and got what "I paid for", dammit ! Thanks for nothing asshole !

 

[Medic007]

Every time I've had a procedure this year I've been 'given' a bottle of Scrub-Stat (2% chlorhexidine gluconate) for pre surgery cleansing and have enough stashed away to water down a bit & fill the dispensers primarily in the bathroom. It works fairly well. One question first posed by 22 that none of my other engineer friends have ever resolved is "how can one be sanitary when the pump on the soap dispenser is always contaminated ?"

You must be careful relying on the MedicMan's diagnoses via phone or email; I described my symptoms a few years ago to him. Went to Mayo Rochester and the Neurology Dept not only dismissed Sean's opinion BUT now I have MS...
I learned a permanent & valuable lesson and got what "I paid for", dammit ! Thanks for nothing asshole !

At least I got you to go to the neurology department.

I just drive ambulances for a living. I usually only provide advice when I'm off duty and drinking. You wade into my knowledge at your own risk. Sometimes my advice keeps the C diff away. Sometimes it gives you MS. The odds vary with what the magic 8 ball gives me to work with.

 

[iasooner1]

At least I got you to go to the neurology department.

I just drive ambulances for a living. I usually only provide advice when I'm off duty and drinking. You wade into my knowledge at your own risk. Sometimes my advice keeps the C diff away. Sometimes it gives you MS. The odds vary with what the magic 8 ball gives me to work with.

I let the Mrs read this for kicks and although I'm fairly destitute, she is loaded and thinks we have a case. She has me studying suits across state lines tonight between my regular cooking and 'other domestic duties'...

 

[Medic007]

I let the Mrs read this for kicks and although I'm fairly destitute, she is loaded and thinks we have a case. She has me studying suits across state lines tonight between my regular cooking and 'other domestic duties'...

Well, if I can help with the suits...

I recommend buying one three sizes too small. If you're counting on a payout from me, you're going to have a bunch of hungry days ahead. Think bulk ramen. I have a gymnast in the house.

 

[iasooner1]

Bwaaaaaaaahaaa. I'm already 1/2 the man I used to be so that would be perfect. Ramen is for winners and if not loaded with salt is not so bad !

 

[Medic007]

Bwaaaaaaaahaaa. I'm already 1/2 the man I used to be so that would be perfect. Ramen is for winners and if not loaded with salt is not so bad !

Think the kind of ramen that comes in pallets from Sams.

 

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

Think the kind of ramen that comes in pallets from Sams.

I've read the ingredients on the wrapper, and places of origin. I can't eat one.

 

[iasooner1]

Been there... Thank hebens I'm not 'gluten-intolerant'.

I'm no good at playing the heavy. Thanks Medic for all the great health advice; seriously !

 

[Medic007]

Been there... Thank hebens I'm not 'gluten-intolerant'.

I'm no good at playing the heavy. Thanks Medic for all the great health advice; seriously !

Shoot. You've got a team of great doctors. I'm just your cheerleader, G.