This location is important because the elevators (specifically the first floor) are filled with germs and viruses because they come in contact with medical professionals, patients, children, vendors, and visitors. The handrails on the inside of the elevators, the elevator buttons in and outside of the elevator itself are packed with germs! It's very important for us all to be aware of why it is crucial to sanitize our hands, with an alcohol based sanitizer, before and after each use of an elevator and contact with any surface. We can all agree that hospitals are occupied with many different types of patients with different illnesses. Patients with AIDS/HIV, pneumonia, cancer, open wounds, breathing complications, newborn babies, children and mothers are at high risk of contracting a "bug" while they touch an elevator. These patients along many others are very sensitive to germs and cannot risk and forms of infection, bacteria, viruses or fungus.
As humans, we unconsciously are in contact with our mouths, nose, ears, eyes and hair; not only infecting ourselves but also transmitting microorganisms to other surfaces and people. Hospitals are places we expect germs to roam but we also want patients/visitors to be as healthy as possible during their visit. Bacteria are spread mainly by infected hands; therefore, keeping your hands clean should be top priority for everyone, including patients and children, to help prevent illnesses.
*THIS IS PUBLIC HEALTH
I think this is a perfect example of public health! People are not going to stop in a bathroom and wash their hands unless they actually have to use the restroom so it is very important that there are hand sanitizers on the walls, especially in hospitals. A lot of people do not realize that most of the germs and bacteria people acquire is due to touching doorknobs, elevator buttons, etc. The fact that this method of cleansing hands is so convenient hopefully means that people will use this more often resulting in less bacteria!
ReplyDeletePeople, especially children, are constantly touching germ infested objects. A hand sanitizer dispenser is very important to public health and a great place to display the sticker. Even better, is that it is next to an elevator, which many touch every day. The more people use hand sanitizer, the less likely bacteria can spread.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys make a good point about the importance of sanitizing in elevators. I know that I don't really think of all the germs I'm touching in an elevator. Just for the fact that so many people touch those buttons,it only takes one push from my finger to catch something. Having the hand sanitizer there is great to prevent the spread of germs.
ReplyDeleteThis was a smart choice to put up your public health sticker, not only it wasn't a cliche for public health but it raises a very good point. There are thousands of germs floating around in hospitals and since people use the elevators spreading germs is almost inevitable. Putting the hand-sanitation by the elevator is a great way to prevent many illnesses from spreading.
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome example of Public Health, and extremely necessary in a place like a hospital! Hospitals are a strange concept - if you put lots of sick people together to take care of them, germs and diseases are going to spread. Not only is it important to educate all faculty, patients and visitors how important it is so be aware of germs at the hospital, it is important in almost any public place. I love that supermarkets (or any store which allows customers to use carts) have antibacterial wipes for the handles and child seats. I wonder how many of us got sick because this wasn't used when we were kids.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is a great example of Public Health! In addition, it's one we see all the time! I see hand sanitizing stations more and more everywhere I go! While I've heard some controversy over the use (or over use) of hand sanitizer, I think having it readily available, especially by the elevators is a great idea. Considering there are people trying to hold the doors open, holding on to hand rails, and pressing buttons, all in a small space, I feel like elevators would be a prime place of sickness to spread. I think this definitely has to do with the prevention aspect of Public Health. I like this one. Great job, girls!
ReplyDelete-Emily Rawlings