A brilliant idea, well executed (PatientPak Personal Antimicrobial & Antibacterial)

Member Name: crazyminx

Product:	PatientPak Personal Antimicrobial & Antibacterial
Date:	02/07/09 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It might save your life

Disadvantages: None

Unfortunately the risk of superbugs is a real and present danger for anyone going into hopsital. The likelihood of you contracting one is probably low, but having had personal experience of the situation, and also having seen the appalling standards of cleanliness at the last couple of hospitals I have been to or stayed in, I would say that it is certainly worth being aware of the need to take some sort of responsibility for your own health when you enter hospital.

This PatientPak Personal Antimicrobial and Antibacterial kit is specially made for those entering hospital for a stay, or visiting someone else who is staying there. For a full list of items included and a picture of each one, please go to the product information page on Amazon.co.uk.

This kit is very well produced. The items all come inside a clear plastic washbag which is a nice way to carry them all into hospital with you. The kit contains everything you need to sanitise the area around you, such as antibacterial wipes and fabric sanitising spray, plus everything you would want to keep yourself clean such as soap, shower gel/shampoo, face wipes and toothpaste. I think all of these things are a good idea. It is important to keep your bedside area clean (and they are often not cleaned well enough by hospitals) and it is also a good idea to use seperate toilettries in hospital to prevent transfer of germs back to your house.

All the items are of a good size and are high quality, nothing seems to have been scrimped on here. They are all in nice co-ordinating shades of white and green.

The pack also comes with a leaflet about keeping healthy if you are in hospital or caring for someone who has come home from hospital. There is also a small sign to put on your bedside table requesting that anyone who treats you washes their hands first. This should be standard practise for doctors and nurses anyway, but they are pressed for time and they are only human, and I have witnessed many forgetting. Having the sign there is much less embarrassing than having to ask them, though you may choose to do both.

Many people have said and will continue to say that this is overkill and the items here are unnecessary. To some extent they may be right but it is better to be safe than sorry and I personally think this pack is an excellent way of protecting yourself. It is a sensible precaution for anyone who is going to stay in hospital to take, and it makes a good gift for a friend or family member who has to go in.

The RRP of this kit is £14.99 but it can be bought at Amazon.co.uk for £12.87. Whilst you may be able to compile your own kit for a smaller price, I don't think the cost of this is excessive and I would be happy to pay it.

(updated and revised from my review on Amazon.co.uk)

Summary: Well worth it if you're going into hospital - it's better to be safe than sorry