The GOOD NEWS!
The infection cycle in hospitals can be broken by the introduction of a few simple common-sense measures. The challenge is to first introduce some understanding of how matters have become so unbalanced. To see the infection cycle from the positive perspective please take a few minutes to read the basic principals below.
Microbes - What are they ?
Microbes are very small creatures that are invisible to the naked eye. Almost all of them are completely harmless and actually play an important role in the well-being of ourselves, our pets and our gardens. But there are a few "rogue microbes" that need to be understood and controlled.
Why are the microbes winning so easily?
Problems start when the natural balance is upset, but that upset can be caused through the very best intentions. Two examples might help put this into context from the microbe point of view:
If you want the most efficient and cost effective way of teaching many hundreds of children it makes good sense from the efficiency viewpoint to group them in schools. From the view of microbes that is a brilliant way to upset the natural balance and new microbes will arise in this "unbalanced" population. Parents know how often their children return from school with a new infection. So schools are a good idea from the efficiency viewpoint but we must accept, and be ready to control, the resultant infections.
If you want to treat many hundreds of patients in the most efficient and cost effective way it makes good sense to group them in hospitals. From the viewpoint of microbes that is a brilliant way to upset the natural balance and new microbes will arise in this "unbalanced" population. The press frequently reminds us of the frightening statistics of how many people go to hospital with one complaint only to become infected and possibly die from their hospital-acquired infections. These infections are actually so common they have a special technical name ? Nosocomial Infections. So hospitals are a good idea from the efficiency viewpoint but we must expect, and be ready to control, the resultant infections
Why has something so obvious become so mysterious?
Many people feel there is great mystery surrounding the whole topic of hospital-acquired infections. Hospitals are staffed by caring people who really do care, so how can they let it happen? It might help to know that many of those running hospitals are equally mystified. But consider one important fact ? the hospitals were created and funded to ensure the best efficiency of treatment. The infections are just a side effect of good and efficient hospital management being conducted with insufficient regard being given to the understanding of microbes.
So where is the GOOD NEWS?
Luckily there are skilled people who understand and can predict the trends microbes will follow. Last century such people were given very little opportunity to contribute, but the good news is that they are now being invited to correct the balance. The hospitals must still be run in a caring and efficient manner, but now the team is being expanded to include those who understand microbes and can prevent infections.
"FORWARD to basics"?
"Back to basics" is a good slogan that almost covers the issues; but new microbes have arisen in recent times so the "basics" of 1903 are regrettably inadequate for 2006. Perhaps the new slogan and rallying cry should be "FORWARD to basics" so we can all combine traditional common-sense with modern understanding. Stop and prevent microbes with NewGenn?
