Healthcare doesn’t take a holiday: Avoiding seasonal workplace stress

When someone goes into a healthcare career, whether that’s doctor or nurse, PT or OT tech, or any of the many other options, they do it because they want to help people. They’re willing to give up a lot, but often don’t realize that being home for the holidays may be on the list of sacrifices.

People don’t get sick, or need surgery, on a schedule. It’s a 24/7 business, and that’s why the holidays can be challenging not just for patients and their families, but also those who provide the high-quality care those people need and deserve. Here are a few ways to integrate the holiday season into your workplace, so that you don’t miss out on all the fun, and also to create a cheerier atmosphere for the people you’re serving.

Plan ahead. Assume that you may be working at least some holiday hours, and so organize family gatherings around those dates. Many people will visit relatives, or have far-flung relations come to them, several days ahead so that they do get to enjoy their company. Bonus: Traveling earlier in December, or even after Jan. 1, can be cheaper and less frantic.

Blend your families. If you're able, invite family members to visit you at work. And be sure to create some kind of event for your coworkers, as in many cases they are as close as your “real” relatives. That might come in the form of a potluck, or a gift swap.

Be mindful of emotions. As hard as it might be for you to be separated from parents, spouses, children or significant others, it’s even tougher for patients. Many of them have developed health issues during their own family gatherings, and are upset and nervous. A calm, empathetic approach will help them feel better, and make you feel good as well.

Don’t neglect worship. Many special religious services are held during the holidays, and missing those is tough. Speak to the hospital’s chapel or pastoral staff, and see if they are planning any interdenominational offerings that you could attend before or after work, or even on a break.

Keep in mind that with so much else in life, acceptance is the answer. Holidays will always be a time of juggling responsibilities for healthcare workers, and a little advance legwork and flexibility means that they can be as enjoyable and meaningful as they are for people in other professions.

Don’t forget handwashing during the holidays — and year-round!

“Did you wash your hands?”

We heard it all the time as kids (and often fibbed), and if you work in healthcare it’s a near-constant reminder thanks to posters and other reminders. Of course, none of that is a bad thing — good hand hygiene goes a very long way toward avoiding illness, as well as passing infections along.

That’s why National Handwashing Awareness Week, which rolls around during the first full week of December every year, is a worthy event to celebrate. Thanks to cheerful mascot Henry the Hand, there are lots of great materials for kids to enjoy, as well as those for adults to remind everyone about handwashing.

OK, to the facts. Here are the Principles of Hand Hygiene endorsed by the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians:

•       Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating;
•       Do not cough into your hands;
•       Do not sneeze into your hands;
•       Above all, do not put your hands into your eyes, ears, and mouth.

And why is this so important? Here comes the icky part. When we cough into the open air, or into our hands, some 3,000 droplets are forced out the body at around 50 miles per hour, according to InsideScience, a news site supported by the American Institute of Physics. Sneezing is even more impressive: 40,000 droplets blast out of us at 200 miles per hour.

The big deal here is that while some of these droplets are big enough to float to the floor or another surface, others are quite small. Those hang around and can be moved out further by air movement such as making a hospital bed, or opening a door.

Even if you shield your mouth and nose for coughing and sneezing with the vampire move, you’re still putting all those droplets out into the air. So, to break the chain of infection, wash those hands!

The Centers for Disease Control tells us that washing with soap and water is the best way to lower the number of microbes on the hands. No water? Use a hand sanitizers with at last 60% alcohol.

And of course, there’s a technique! If you’re using hand sanitizer, apply enough to remain on the hands for 20-30 seconds. For soap and water, the whole process should take 40 seconds to a minute.

When we’re in a hurry, it’s easy to let the little things slide. But if less than a minute can help improve our own health, not to mention that of everyone around us, it’s worth taking the time to slow down and keep those hands clean.