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Why Are Some Hospitals Banning Artificial Nails (Abstract)
Jackson Research Associates, Inc, Sumner, Washington |
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Editor's note: The author has served as a consultant to the Nail Manufacturers' Council of the American Beauty Association. Infectious Control Committees in these hospitals cited epidemiology studies which allegedly supported their bans based on an apparent increased potential for wearers of artificial nails as sources of nosocomial infections. However, on reviewing the complete texts of the citations, artificial nails did not exhibit any more potential than natural nails to transmit infections. In one study a jar of hand cream in the area was the actual source of the pathogen. There is no chemical basis nor is there any microbiological evidence to support a ban on artificial nails. What would be more helpful would be reinforcing the already existing procedures for hand washing by all personnel with the recommended length of 3 mm for nails, artificial or natural. © 2001 Dermatology Online Journal |