Do Doctor's White Coat and Tie Cause Infection?
Posted by
Randy WaltonSeptember 19, 2007 5:36 PMIt was reported, hospitals are banning neckties, long sleeves and jewellery in an effort to stop the spread of deadly hospital-borne infections. The campaign is aimed at ambulances, primary care, mental health and care trusts, and care homes and hospices.
In England, it was reported, hospitals are banning neckties, long sleeves and jewellery in an effort to stop the spread of deadly hospital-borne infections. Beginning in January 2008, doctors will have to wear plastic aprons instead of the traditional white coats as hospitals will have to comply with a new "bare below the elbows" dress code. The steps, which suggest that cuffs on white coats could be a means of spreading infection, also ban wrist watches and jewellery and aim to instigate a tougher regime of handwashing.
The aim is to stamp out the deadly infections plaguing the National Health system such as Clostridium difficile (C.Diff) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is commonly found in American hospitals and nursing homes, and usually requires that the patient be isolated until the infection can be controlled.
Chief executives will be legally required to report all MRSA and C.difficile infections to medical authorities and will be fined if they fail to do so. Experts say that up to two-thirds of doctors do not wash their hands properly so a "clean your hands" campaign will be launched.
The campaign is aimed at ambulances, primary care, mental health and care trusts, and care homes and hospices.
For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Medical Malpractice and Negligent Care.