Infection Control
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: June 16, 2011
Joplin, MO- Ann Davy is the Infection Control Officer at Freeman Health System. She said, "There's a lot of dust, a lot of mold, a lot of particles out there that people may not realize that are out there. So they can be exposed to infection." And demolition work means there's even more risk to your health. "Anything that they contact is going to be dirty. So anytime anything is dirty, there's that chance of infection, especially if you poke yourself somewhere or something like that. So it could be a wound, you could also get it in your eyes."
The best defense is protective gear - like goggles, a dust mask, work gloves and heavy duty shoes. "What we're seeing though is not necessarily staph infections. We are seeing some other things, some molds and funguses that are out there because of the debris that can get into the wounds. And so it's very important to clean those wounds," added Davy. And watch the injury. If you develop redness, drainage or excessive pain - see your doctor immediately. "We have had a few of our patients who have had these fungus and mold infections and the patients have been really sick."
And you should also get a tetanus shot if you haven't gotten one within the last five years.
