Is this really unhygienic?

[reluctanttownie]

Just went to a private clinic to have some travel vaccines. Nurse at no point (she never left my sight) washed her hands or put on gloves. She also had really long grimy fingernails and had been conspicuously picking at something round her mouth during the consultation, too, which made it seem even worse. No swab of alcohol on my arm prior to injection either.

Was watching her prepare the syringes thinking 'ok, this seems odd' but was also thinking surely she's the nurse and she knows best, I don't want to seem a fusspot. Before I'd made my mind up whether to say anything she'd jabbed me. Wish I had now.

AIBU to call to complain tomorrow? Any advice (esp medical professionals) appreciated. What's the standard procedure? It seems from google searching gloves is not required, but what about hand washing and alcohol swab? Sure all have been done whenever I've had jabs previously.

Thanks.

Alcohol swab of injection site isn't really necessary, but she should definitely have washed her hands before handling the syringes and injecting you.

FWIW it is totally ok to ask a HCP - would you mind washing your hands first. Anyone who gets the hump is just embarrassed that you noticed but there is no excuse at all (unless you were rushing to give emergency first aid in which case you would just hope for the best and wash hands when you could)

Hand washing is a must but not the alcohol swabs x

Health Care workers should follow WHO recommendations for 5 moments of hand hygeine. This should include before and after contact with any patient using either alcohol gel hand rub or hand washing. Nails should always be short and clean!

Yep agree with others that hands should definitely have been washed at least once!

I am a HCP (not nurse) and I know that the protocols in our Trust changed regarding the alcohol swabs and at the last review it was NO swab. The gloves/ no gloves I believe is a little more controversial but not necessary if hand hygiene good and no known risk factors.

I recently attended the walk in centre and watched a very senior nurse (who didn't know I work in the NHS) pour my urine sample down a sink clearly labelled Do NOT dispose of bodily fluids in this sink makes me and

I'm assuming it should be the same as in body piercing and with that hands should be washed between doing everything (touching anything that isn't sterile).

EG: Wash hands, take out equiptment, wash hands, prepare equiptment, wash hands, perform procedure, wash hands.

Nails should always be short and clean.

Btw, this would work the same with glove changes to hand washes. :)

Ooh, that is grim. But, if you're worried about it, as someone who has injected herself a lot (clexane for 9 months or thereabouts), it's very very difficult to catch yourself on the needle, so the important bit will have been clean. Doesn't excuse her terrible hygiene though. yuk.

Nurses shouldn't use alcohol wipes, they are not necessary.

She should wash her hands but if it's just an injection it ain't going to do you any harm!

YANBU - and I would talk to the practise head about this.