Wednesday, September 19, 2007
© Copyright 2013
Gwinnett Daily Post
LONDON - British hospitals are banning neckties, long sleeves and jewelry for doctors - and their traditional white coats - in an effort to stop the spread of deadly hospital-borne infections, according to new rules published Monday.
Hospital dress codes typically urge doctors to look professional, which, for male practitioners, has usually meant wearing a tie. But as concern over hospital-born infections has intensified, doctors are taking a closer look at their clothing. 'Ties are rarely laundered but worn daily,' the Department of Health said in a statement. 'They perform no beneficial function in patient care and have been shown to be colonized by pathogens.' The new regulations taking effect next year mean an end to doctors' traditional long-sleeved white coats, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said. Fake nails, jewelry and watches, which the department warned could harbor germs, are also out. Johnson said the 'bare below the elbows' dress code would help prevent the spread of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, the deadly bacteria resistant to nearly every available antibiotic. Popularly known as a 'superbug,' MRSA accounts for more than 40 percent of in-hospital blood infections in Britain. Because the bacteria is so hard to kill, health care workers have instead focused on containing its spread through improvements to hospital hygiene.More like this story
- 15 diagnosed with staph at Dacula High ( September 2, 2010 )
- Be vigilant to prevent contracting staph infection from public places ( November 7, 2007 )
- Brazilian model who lost hands and feet dies at 20 ( January 25, 2009 )
- World Briefs ( April 14, 2005 )
- Before 10th surgery, Tripp smiles for first time in months ( March 8, 2013 )
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID