Dr. Nikhilesh Todkari

Study carried out to assess Presence of potential pathogens on necktie frequency of laundering of ties attitude of doctors on not wearing a tie

Potential pathogens included S.aureus Gram-negative bacteria VRE

1. Questionnaire Grade and speciality Frequency of laundered necktie Preference of wearing a tie at work

2. Incubation• Necktie swabbed• Columbia blood agar used• Incubation at 37 degrees for 48h.

1/3 (95/265) of all male doctors took part

NCHDs (61%) vs Consultants (13%)Grade Number Pathogens present

Objection of not wearing a tie

Intern 14 1 (7%) 5 (36%)

SHO 14 4 (29%) 1 (7%)

Registrar 49 8 (17%) 9 (18%)

Consultant 18 4 (22%) 4 (22%)

Total 95 17 (18%) 19 (20%)

Pathogens Skin flora (CoNS, dipetheroids,micrococci) found

on ALL ties. 10 ties - S.aureus

7 MRSA 3 MSSA

3 ties - mixture of Gram-negative bacilli and S.aureus

VRE not detected on any tie NO significant association between doctor’s

grade and prsence of pathogens.

55% (52/95) NEVER laundered their tie. Only 15/95 had laundered tie in past 2

months No relationship between laundering of

ties and number of pathogens. Majority of doctors 81% would be

happy not to wear a tie to work.

Presence of skin flora on ties suggests they are handled regularly

Laundering of ties has no impact on bacterial colonisation

Majority of doctors surveyed had no objection to not wearing a tie.

Is it time to hang the tie?