Course Access
Hi Tenneale,
Most plants/gardens in hospital settings while accessible to staff, patients
and visitors are generally separated from main areas within the hospital.
Evidence linking flowers and plants to outbreaks of infection or illness in
individual patients is minimal. However because of the high-level of
bacteria, moulds/fungi in soil and water in flower vases precautions for
general patient-care settings relates to the prevention of hand
contamination and includes:
a. limiting flower and plant care to staff with no direct patient
contact
b. advising health-care staff to wear gloves when handling plants
c. washing hands after handling plants
d. changing vase water every 2 days and discharging the water into a
sink outside the immediate patient environment, and e. cleaning and
disinfecting vases after use.
Ornamental plants are also problematic as they accumulate dust, can’t be
cleaned and may serve as a reservoir of Aspergillus spp (fungi)., and
dispersal of spores into the air from this source can occur. Health-care
associated outbreaks of invasive aspergillosis reinforce the importance of
maintaining an environment as free of Aspergillus spp. spores as possible
for patients with severe, prolonged neutropenia (immunosuppressed patients).
Potted plants, fresh-cut flowers, and dried flower arrangements may provide
a reservoir for these fungi as well as other fungal species and these types
of plants are usually excluded from areas where immunosuppressed patients
are be located.
Regards
Glenys
Glenys Harrington
Consultant
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)
P.O. Box 6385
Melbourne
Australia, 3004
M: +61 404816434
Charlene Dixon
Good morning Tenneale,
Soil harbours micro-organisms such as anthrax, botulism, tetanus, Legionella
sp. Listeria, Aspergillosis, Coccidioidomycosis, Q fever and the list goes
on.
These organisms can infect susceptible individuals, and so can become the
causative agents of soil borne diseases in humans. This risk of exposure to
infectious organisms from the soil has been known for centuries. Therefore,
soil has the potential to transmit these micro-organisms and diseases to
staff and immunocompromised patients, in a clinical setting.
I hope this has clarified things for you.
Kind regards,
Dr Charlie (Charlene) Dixon
CNC
Infection Prevention & Control Unit | Safety & Quality
South West Hospital and Health Service | Queensland Government
Corner Bowen & Spencer Streets ROMA Qld 4455.
T: 07 46241823
E: Charlene.dixon@health.qld.gov.au
W: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/southwest
South West Hospital and Health Service acknowledges the Traditional Owners
of the land, and pays respect to Elders past, present and future.
> On Behalf Of Florence, Tenneale
Hi all,
Could someone please shine some light or provide recognised resources on the
reasons as to why it is not deemed appropriate to have pot plants (in soil)
within a health care setting.
Thank you, Tenneale
Tenneale Florence
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Infection Prevention and Control
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