Patient Safety Sentinel: Fingernails and Artificial Nails

Policy on Fingernails and Artificial Nails

Employees having direct or indirect hands-on patient care may not have fingernails in excess of ¼ inch in length and may not wear artificial fingernails, which is inclusive of gel nail polish, wraps, acrylics, silks, etc.

  • A growing body of evidence suggests that wearing artificial nails may contribute to the transmission of certain health care-associated pathogens.
  • Healthcare workers who wear artificial nails are more likely to harbor Gram-negative pathogens on their fingertips than those who have natural nails, both before and after hand hygiene.
  • Fingernails must be clean, professional, and maintained. No chipped or cracked polish.

Yesterday’s Sentinel picture (below) showed a professional using a cell phone with artificial nails, which are not allowed.

HR policy 8.604 Employee Relations-Employee Dress Code is in process of being updated.


Protecting our patients is the top priority at Cooper University Health Care. We need 100 percent compliance with all patient safety procedures.

A sentinel is one who stands guard or watch to protect others. We need all employees to be sentinels to protect our patients and keep watch to ensure all patient safety procedures are being strictly followed.

One Team. One Purpose.