To The Abattoir

For all the stupid, ridiculous, REDUNDENT protocols we have to shoulder, this takes the cake for 2009. Our hospital has instructed us to take airborne and contact precautionary measures for ALL our patients (hell yes, ALL), regardless of contact history.

Nevermind that they've been here for ages. Most of them still insist Lao Lee is still the Prime Minister of Singapore. They're all been branded as potentially life threatening.

Yes, ah ma. You are capable of devastating viral warfare.

I believe that sensible precautionary measures are neccessary to uphold infection control across the board. I say yes to the contact log sheets, mandatory mask fitting, circculars and of course stringent hand washing.

PS - I am very anal about mask fits because it's the very 1st line of defence for the healthcare provider when dealing with respiratory diseases. The hospital administration has to take the initiative to either find the right mask to fit their staff, educate and drill appropriate compliance measures and ensure all staff that can not be properly fitted to be moved to an alternative worksite.

Imagine the exposure risk!

But lets view things objectively. Hysteria is not objective. Treating all patients as airborne and contact precaution is just beyond sense.

And as the main building makes space to brace itself for a possible outbreak, they've flooded our modest ward to clear beds. I'm not complaining but people should practice a little consideration and transfer the patients a little earlier. Transferring at 8.30pm or 10pm?!

Wah. Inconsiderate leh.

Perhaps the Ministry of Health can step in with a campaign to re-educate the public on the importance of compliance to hand hygiene and quarantine measures. Remember SARS? Teach people that it is important to wash your hands, that visitors need to be restricted in hospitals.

Wash your eff-ing hands. You pig.

Basically, be civic minded and understand that germs can spread from one person (or pig) to another.

A jail term for flouters sounds fair enough!