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A sanitary issues with other MTs
I am writing this because I am really upset. While I was working last week at the location where I have my initial practice with other practitioners, I encountered some thing that just turned my stomach. One of the MTs I work with, come out of the treatment room after her treatment, goes to the rest room to wash her hands and then grabs a folded up paper towel that was folded on the back of a chair next to the front desk. She then brags, "Look I am recycling my paper towel" She proceeds to wipe her hand dry on the towel then folds and then drapes it on the back of the chair again. She then tells me, "Don't throw this out, this is my towel for the day." Now, I just shook my head in disbelief and thought she was kidding. So I went over to the chair, laughing, and grabbed the towel and was going to throw it. She said " I told you not the throw it out, I am trying to conserve paper." My jaw dropped. She then went on to explain, "you realize how many paper towels I could go through in a day?" "Just think on how many I can save." Needless to say, I have never had the opportunity to receive a massage from her and because of this particular thing I just found out about her, I problably never will. Comments anyone?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Marissa on
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Well, really, the only thing she is recycling is germs. There are paper product brands available at every supermarket that are made out of recycled products...use them. And start recycling all that you can at your practice. This person is grossly misinformed, pun intended. You might want to put a bottle of sanitizer by the chair as well. Hint. Hint.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on
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I would suggest that instead of getting upset with her, that you educate her. sounds like her intentions are in the right place, but as Marissa stated, she's definitely misinformed. go get the recycled paper towels so she can see how you want to "help" but then explain to her about the germ aspect and how she could be spreading germs. a little education can go a LONG way, so long as it's done from the heart.
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Permalink Reply by Erica Olson on
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*thoughtful look* Well, if her hands are washed and clean, then she's not spreading any germs. It's not hospital-standard clean, but I don't know of any MTs who rigorously follow those guidelines. Personally, I don't find it disgusting, but that's just me.
A compromise, however, might be for you all to have a bunch of washcloths or rags and use those as single-use towels. It'll increase the laundry load, but it'll have less environmental impact than manufacturing paper towels--even recycled ones.
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Permalink Reply by Lucky Luke on
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I agree with Erica. If you washed your hands properly and you just drying them off, it should not be THAT "stomach turning". That's just like washing your cream pump after EVERY massage. Honestly, do we do it? No.
As the lead therapist for two locations I've asked all MTs to use real hand towels throughout their shift and we don't buy paper towels anymore.
Erica Olson said:*thoughtful look* Well, if her hands are washed and clean, then she's not spreading any germs. It's not hospital-standard clean, but I don't know of any MTs who rigorously follow those guidelines. Personally, I don't find it disgusting, but that's just me.
A compromise, however, might be for you all to have a bunch of washcloths or rags and use those as single-use towels. It'll increase the laundry load, but it'll have less environmental impact than manufacturing paper towels--even recycled ones.
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Fleury on
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Thank you for all of your responses so far.
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Permalink Reply by Choice Kinchen on
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I agree with Erica.....too often, as in media driven stories about our kitchen counter tops, etc, we become germaphobes and associate anything not operating room sterile as unacceptable. Be reasonable. Go to Costco or Sam's Club and buy some rags in bulk and do a little extra laundry.
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i hate laundry. :)
Choice Kinchen said:I agree with Erica.....too often, as in media driven stories about our kitchen counter tops, etc, we become germaphobes and associate anything not operating room sterile as unacceptable. Be reasonable. Go to Costco or Sam's Club and buy some rags in bulk and do a little extra laundry.
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Herriage on
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Paper is still recyclable because its also biodegradable. The paper towels I use around the kitchen go directly into a paperbag to be put in my garden compost, along with other paper without ink and kitchen wastes. The bags go out daily. Don't sweat it. She took you by surprise. Someone else will call her on it one day if she doesn't figure it out. Sometimes, we all have to "get there" while making fools of ourselves. LOL.
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Permalink Reply by Emma Torsey on
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Hello you all,
I was just wondering,Don't they teach universal hand washing technique in your pathology class anymore?
You have got to take every precaution against cross contamination .make sure you wipe everything clean,
including your lotion and oil bottles between each client.
Peace,Emma
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There's a hot stone discussion group, where they've gone into some good ideas. The spa I worked at sprayed 'em down with Cavicide, but another person in the discussion group suggested running the stones through the dishwasher.
Ezekiel OBrien said:On a slightly different sanitary note. I took a La Stone class 8 years ago but soon gave the modality up because I never could figure out how to keep it sanitary with out washing each of the fifty some stones after every massage which added a bunch of time to an already extra time eating style of massage. I have never figured out how La Stone/ hot stone therapists keep it sanitary as certainly the water never reaches a temperature to sterilize anything. Would love to hear if any of you have heard of a good way as I am on the verge of purchasing a hydroculator.
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*nod* I figure we've got an immune system for a reason. Also, using antibiotic soap for every little thing is contributing to the development of resistant pathogens.
Choice Kinchen said:I agree with Erica.....too often, as in media driven stories about our kitchen counter tops, etc, we become germaphobes and associate anything not operating room sterile as unacceptable. Be reasonable. Go to Costco or Sam's Club and buy some rags in bulk and do a little extra laundry.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Jansen on
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GROSS. If she wants to save paper, she should buy herself a few hand towels that she can take home and wash everyday. And grow up a little bit.
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