Dressed to Kill?

Can Neckties Spread Infection?

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Dear Consult Guys:

I am a member of my hospital’s infection control and safety committee and

am asking the two of you to weigh in on an issue that we are discussing.

One of our members recently visited a hospital in Great Britain and noticed

that none of the physicians involved in patient care were wearing neckties.

He found out that neckties are forbidden by policy of the National Health

Service.

Upon arrival home he’s made it his mission to ban neckties in our hospital.

The issue has gotten pretty heated. There are some who say they are an

infection risk and should go the way of bloodletting and leeches. Others say

that neckties are part of appropriate attire that show respect for patients

and actually give patients and their families confidence in their doctor.

I thought that you two “fashionistas” and medical experts would be the

best to answer this one. Sincerely,Concerned

Doc

Dear Consult Guys:

I am a member of my hospital’s infection control and safety committee and

am asking the two of you to weigh in on an issue that we are discussing.

One of our members recently visited a hospital in Great Britain and noticed

that none of the physicians involved in patient care were wearing neckties.

He found out that neckties are forbidden by policy of the National Health

Service.

Upon arrival home he’s made it his mission to ban neckties in our hospital.

The issue has gotten pretty heated. There are some who say they are an

infection risk and should go the way of bloodletting and leeches. Others say

that neckties are part of appropriate attire that show respect for patients

and actually give patients and their families confidence in their doctor.

I thought that you two “fashionistas” and medical experts would be the

best to answer this one. Sincerely,Concerned

Doc

Do bacteria colonize neckties?Are neckties ever cleaned?Is infection spread via neckties?Should neck ties be banned from the hospital?

Key Items to Consider

Copyright © 2014

Ditchburn I. Should Doctors Wear Ties? J Hosp Infect. 2006; 63: 227-8.

Ditchburn I. Should Doctors Wear Ties? J Hosp Infect. 2006; 63: 227-8.

40 ties20% 8 ties tested positive s. aureus 1 tie tested positive MRSA

Fischer RL. Does physician attire influence patient satisfaction in an outpatient obstetrics and gynecology setting? American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2007; 196: 186.e1–186.e5.

Rehman SU. What to wear today? Effect of doctor's attire on the trust and confidence of patients. Am J Med. 2005; 118: 1279-86.

Who do you Trust the Most?Rehman SU, et al. What to wear today? Effect of doctor’s attire on the trust and confidence of patients.

Am J Med. 2005. 118: 1279-86.

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