Remember we were talking about PICC lines, the plastic tubes that they thread through a big vein to your heart for the purpose of getting medications well distributed in your body?
You need to scrub up pretty thoroughly when you’re getting one; and we’ve got some things to say about the scrubbing up. For one, there’s a mnemonic for the length of time time the scrubbing is to continue. That is as long as it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday to You” twice. You should know that actually it is the mechanical action of the scrubbing more than the soap that does the good in scrubbing up, and if you want to hear a scary fact about scrubbing up here it is:
Inadequate scrubbing causes about a quarter of a million serious infections in the U.S.A. every year, and 12 to 15 percent of those affected die.
Even scarier: there’s a 2.1-percent incidence of infection if the patient has been taken to a hospital, but only 0.1 percent if they’re being treated at home. So you may want to think twice before allowing yourself to be hospitalized for a minor ailment.
Michael Parker says:
How are you feeling, Fred? Sounds like you are in good spirits and you’re obviously writing more. Do you still have the PICC line? Best wishes.
May 7, 2010, 12:38 amJoe Fodor says:
A study has also revealed that hand washing, long associated with absolving the mind of guilt, can also erase any doubts about everyday choices — according to an ingenious study reported in the journal Science.
May 7, 2010, 8:52 amPaul A. says:
I just read this morning that washing one’s hands psychologically “reduces the influence of past behaviors and decisions” — make a choice, give your mitts a good scrub, and you are inclined to believe that your choice was a good one:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100506141601.htm
May 7, 2010, 10:38 amACW says:
This would suggest that mechanics using GoJo might wash their hands more effectively than hospital workers using ‘antibacterial’ soap.
May 7, 2010, 11:13 amWhat if they made antibacterial GoJo?!
I think my head just exploded.
Robert Nowall says:
At work, when they wanted us to wash our hands for twenty seconds, they told us to sing (to ourselves) “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
We laughed…
May 7, 2010, 11:23 amJohn Murphy says:
They ought to have surgeons dip their hands in some sort of dye that takes about that long to scrub off. Then it would be obvious to everyone whether they did it or not.
May 7, 2010, 2:32 pmDeborah Post says:
I so enjoy your blog, Mr. Pohl! My sister and I grew up reading SF from you and many of the writers you speak about, and your snapshots of SF history are a delight! < /end fawn>
May 8, 2010, 12:39 amBrian says:
Your blog is equal parts fascinating and horrifying. I learn something new with each of your posts — but sometimes I’m not so sure I wanted to!
…Now pardon me, I’m off to wash my hands a couple dozen times…
May 8, 2010, 6:46 pm