posted
OK, the title's a little extreme, but there's evidence that the usual "uniform" of male physicians could be responsible for a lot spreading a lot of infections:
quote:MONDAY, May 24 (HealthDayNews) -- Believe it or not, your doctor's dress code could pose a danger to your health.
A new study found plenty of germs lurking in the neckties worn by physicians at a New York City hospital.
The ties were eight times more likely to harbor bacteria than those worn by security workers in the same center, the researchers found. However, an epidemiologist stressed there's no proof that bacteria-ridden garments pose any harm to patients.
quote:"These bacteria are pathogens in hospitals, but finding them on a tie does not mean they are a problem," he said. "They have to be transmitted from that tie to the patient. The way that might happen is via hands. That is why patients need to advocate for themselves. Asking a physician to wash their hands is much more important than asking them not to wear a tie."
Here's the thing - in another version of the story, one of the researchers noted observing physicians going to wash their hands, and then go adjust their ties. And then move on to the next patient.
Too bad I'm not in an activist in the infection-prevention arena. Would be great theater to go to a hospital with a high infection rate and give out turtlenecks. Posts: 4344 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Well, ties are symbols of professionalism and authority. It's probably a significant reason some of the people quoted are really reluctant to consider the possibility that ties are a problem.
posted
There have been studies showing that most men wear their ties too tightly; enough to significantly slow the blood flow to the brain. Just whatcha need: a physician working with half his brains tied behind his back.
Posts: 8501 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
*wondering how long it will take before someone starts producing "tie condoms" (mentioned in article) and offers them in medical supply catalogs at exorbitant prices*
Posts: 4344 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Odd. I've never seen a hands-on doctor (i.e. who will actually be poking around, not a psychiatrist or something) wear a tie on duty. Maybe I'm just not paying attention, but I thought the title of the TV drama was Scrubs, not Suits.
Posts: 1839 | Registered: May 1999
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