Germs and bacteria are everywhere – they’re on your clothes, your hands, your face and every surface you touch. But our inability to see these miniscule microbes can all too easily make us lax when it comes to avoiding bad bacteria.
We don’t wash our hands after being on public transport. We enter hospitals without checking their hygiene records. We make food in our kitchen without cleaning surfaces properly. And all because of the bliss of ignorance.
But one computer program is making the spread of germs in hospitals all too visible – and it’s enough to make even the filthiest person give their hands a scrub.
Hi-tech hygiene
The program, developed by researcher at the University of Leeds, found that multi-bed wards increased bacterial hand contamination by 20 per cent when compared with single-bed wards.
Using advanced computer modelling, researchers observed the spread of each and every droplet of bacteria within a ward.
The spread is rapid – and will only get worse with poor hygiene.
Programs like this highlight larger problems within healthcare. Some bacteria is developing immunity to various antibiotics, giving fewer options to avoid the spread.
Protection from germs – through amazing hygiene
Dr Lena Ciric, who headed the program, has discussed the importance of showing this bacterial spread onscreen.
“Computer models are an important tool in the study of the spread of healthcare associated infections, especially when they are validated using clinical data,” she told the BBC. “They can be used to make improvements in the design of hospital wards and to change the behaviour of healthcare staff in order to reduce infection rates.”
The speed of germs means that only one real antidote is available – constant vigilance in hygiene protocol.
We can offer you plenty of waste and hygiene facilities to help with the major effort to stem the spread of germs. Get in touch and see what we can offer.
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