Doctors are not known for making fashion statements especially in the type of neck ties they wear. Most are conservative, the ties that is! But you now have to look at their neck wear in a new way, as potentially dangerous.
A study at Queens Hospital, New York, discovered that 47% of the 42 ties worn by medical staff at the hospital harbored illness causing bacteria. Clinicians ties were eight times more infectious than security guards ties (which I suppose is not particularly surprising given their work) but does give cause for concern in a job were it is so important to minimize the microbes.
The study isolated some nasty bugs being carried around with them, 12 ties carried staphylococcus aureus, five gram-negative bacteria, one tie carried aspergillus and two ties carried multiple pathogens. Of the 10 security guard's ties, only one carried staphylococcus aureus.
The study backs up previous research findings where stethoscopes, pagers, pens and other doctors everyday equipment and work wear were tested. And it is not just doctors. Nurses, care staff, occupational health workers and hospital workers in general have a problem and need to change their habits.
Doctors hygiene is not always that great, unless they are carrying out a procedure. Just look at them performing a ward round. They may wash their hands, some more than others, but then they touch and adjust their tie or use their stethoscope on their next victim, spreading bugs and bacteria around from person to person.
So should doctors stop wearing a tie, a symbol of professionalism and efficiency? Well maybe they should. They certainly need to pay attention to their hygiene with about 5 percent to 10 percent of all hospital patients acquiring an infection in the hospital where they receive treatment.
This research is tying doctors to infection.
10/28/2005
