Packing for hospital

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

pollypenny wrote: »

Great, I'll definitely get some of that. I am very wary about infection, in fact the hospital has had 6 wards closed because of the novivirus!

I can't wait to get this op over, though!

http://www.boots.com/en/Hibiscrub-Skin-Cleanser-250ml-1-bottle_872185/


There you go. Not cheap and can be a little strong on the skin initially, but sooooo much better than infection.

Only aside is that if you use it at home, make sure it doesn't land on a surface you have used bleach on shortly beforehand, as it tends to make brown marks if left to continue the chemical reaction unhindered. (It's also the active ingredient in some medical grade mouth washes and reacts with something inside toothpaste to stain the teeth - removed by a scale and polish, though, and better than losing teeth or having systemic inflammation as a result of periodontitis, IMO)




Do I give the impression of being slightly [STRIKE]immunocompromised[/STRIKE] hysterical here?


That's the years of hospital employment combined with steroid use/immune system beggaring meds for you......

Person_one

pollypenny wrote: »

Person One - DD, not Ds, was in Manchester Royal Infirmary, twice.

They absolutely definitely do provide towels, and pyjamas on the wards. Was it a day surgery case? I don't know if it's different there.

Jojo, taking hibiscrub for the shower is completely OTT. You don't want to start killing the normal flora on your skin for no good reason, that will just make you more vulnerable to new bacteria coming in to take their place.

marmiterulesok

dizsiebubba wrote: »

Wow thats a shock as everything you read about them suggests you wouldn't be a day patient...

It has been common practice for 20 odd years to do LPs as a day patient.I had mine as a day patient.

Person_one

pollypenny wrote: »

Great, I'll definitely get some of that. I am very wary about infection, in fact the hospital has had 6 wards closed because of the novivirus!

I can't wait to get this op over, though!

Please don't let people get you worked up about the risk of infection. Going OTT with anti-microbials actually does more harm than good. Hibiscrub irritates the mucous membranes too, so not good round eyes, mouth, genitals and certainly not an LP site!

A good wash with normal soap and warm water is absolutely fine and more than enough, like it is every other day!

Just don't go around sticking your fingers into other patient's incisions or bedpans and so on and you'll probably be fine.

Its also completely acceptable to ask the doctors and nurses if they've washed their hands before examining you if they don't do it in a sink where you can see them.

pmduk

Don't forget to take any current medication as getting them prescribed whilst an inpatient can be a nightmare.

Armchair23

Oh you poor love I'm betting you wish you hadn't asked !

Hibiscrub won't stop airborne infections (coughs and sneezes) soap and water perform just as well if you wash your hands carefully.

Don't be afraid to say if there's something about hygeine/infection control you're not happy about. EG I'd rather not have that sandwich you just dropped etc., or did you wash your hands before you picked up that catheter ? Speaking from an unfortunately very lengthy experience of hospital stays, if you happen to like and have access to something like individual M&S salads or meals get someone to bring those in for you.

If you've got someone coming in to see you frequently just tell them what you need. The area around a bed is quite small and you don't want a lot of rubbish cluttering it up. Also if you can ask nicely no cards,flowers and the like until you're home. Also best way of reducing risk of infection is to not have too many visitors.

This is probably not the time to decide to read War & Peace or knit that big jumper you've always wanted to.

Mostly, don't worry too much about these little things and I hope everything goes as well and as smoothly as can be hoped XX

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Person_one wrote: »

They absolutely definitely do provide towels, and pyjamas on the wards. Was it a day surgery case? I don't know if it's different there.

Jojo, taking hibiscrub for the shower is completely OTT. You don't want to start killing the normal flora on your skin for no good reason, that will just make you more vulnerable to new bacteria coming in to take their place.

Your local hospitals are obviously much cleaner than the ones down here.

'Normal flora' doesn't even happen for everyone in the outside world, hence thrush (a much higher risk when immunocompromised), bacterial vaginosis, athletes foot, MRSA already on the skin (eg, in spots, boils and in the nasal cavities), cystitis/bladder/kidney infection, norovirus, community acquired pneumonia, hep A and all the lovelies that people who don't anticipate hospital admission cannot help but bring in with them.


It's all very well people saying you can ask if someone has washed their hands. The reality is that many take offence, act whilst you are in no position to question them and, tbh, the last thing I want to be doing is arguing with the woman in charge of dispensing pain relieving medication to me.



Using a South London hospital as an example;

You need nightclothes, toiletries and personal towel.


From personal experience of admission to St Georges', Tooting, you needed nightclothes, toiletries, towels, footwear and everything else.

And the infection control leaflet confirms that people who test positive for MRSA are asked to shower in Hibiscrub for 72 hours prior to admission and for 48 hours following discharge.

From Epsom and St Helier hospitals, nightwear, slippers and a towel.



It's not overkill. I'm already at higher risk of infection as it is. I do not intend to allow something from someone else, whether a sloppy member of staff or just plain bad luck on the bus on the way into hospital, to have the opportunity to stay on my skin right next to where my skin is punctured or where I receive further medication that reduces my resistance to infection even more than usual.



And I didn't offer medical advice, I said what I do, as a result of having worked at different hospitals and taking medication that affects my immune system.


It may be overkill for someone not ill. But then they wouldn't be in hospital, would they? Unless they were staff, which where we get back to the arguing with the person in charge of providing prn pain relief at night again.....

Person_one

The OP didn't mention that she was immuno-compromised, you must know medical info about her that I don't.

If she does test positive for MRSA, then yes, that would be the time to start using Hibiscrub, not before.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Person_one wrote: »

The OP didn't mention that she was immuno-compromised, you must know medical info about her that I don't.

If she does test positive for MRSA, then yes, that would be the time to start using Hibiscrub, not before.

No, I don't, I meant myself - I thought I had said I was talking about me and what I would do. Sorry if I didn't.

Person_one

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

No, I don't, I meant myself - I thought I had said I was talking about me and what I would do. Sorry if I didn't.

Then I'm afraid I don't understand why you posted it.

Its scary enough going into hospital without people going on about complications you aren't even at risk of.