Can Nurses Wear Acrylic Nails
Whether you consider dip powder nails artificial acrylic nails or just longlasting nail polish.
Can nurses wear acrylic nails. Although some of the recommendations apply when providing care to special patients healthcare organizations may adopt these recommendations for all workers. Some guidelines have previously recommended that when performing hand hygiene nails be free of nail polish and no wearing of jewellery below the elbows but it is felt that the evidence supporting these. So wearing gel nails as a nurse is a direct no-no.
On a general basis gel nails and acrylic are strictly banned in almost all healthcare facilities because it is believed that these can carry many harmful bacteria. Infection control is not the only issue that affects doctors and nurses who wear acrylic nails in the OR. Patients in intensive care units or in transplant units.
Acrylic nails even pointy ones wont be sharp enough to scratch they are too thick. This was confirmed in a study carried out by the Max Peralta Hospital in Costa Rica which focused specifically on nurses nails. Keep natural nails tips less than 14-inch long.
Some nurses try to get gel nail manicures instead to try and counter this problem but gel nails are just as unsanitary as chipped nails. Given the need for frequent hand-scrubbing is it even possible for doctors and nurses to maintain artificial nails. I love getting my nails done especially with acrylic.
The WHO guidelines prohibit artificial nails and extenders for all healthcare workers. Do not wear artificial fingernails or extenders when having direct contact with patients at high risk eg those in intensive-care units or operating rooms. If you are interested in whether or not nurses can wear nail polish read this article.
This outbreak was linked epidemiologically to 2 nurses one with artificial nails. Healthcare workers are vehicles for patient infections even when. They probably also wear gloves for nappy changes so shouldnt be an issue for hygiene.