Handwashing -- are we being irresponsible?

"A new mother sits by her tiny, premature baby in a neonatal intensive care unit. She watches as a physician touches the baby without first washing his hands or using the waterless, alcohol-based hand antiseptic just a couple of feet away. A few minutes later, a nurse and then another doctor also fail to perform these basic procedures. ..."

Yes, we have added problems in third world hospitals. Lack of water, overwork, generally low expectations about sanitation. But read this article (just click below) and think about it. Though it's harder to wash hands here, it is probably also even more important because of the prevalence of transmissible infections. We can at least start in high-risk situations such as newborn nurseries, making handwashing a standard of care. If you have access to the alcohol-based gel, try it out. Your staff may be be pleased with how easy it is, and no towel is required.

System Failure versus Personal Accountability — The Case for Clean Hands. NEJM 355:121-123   July 13, 2006. Free full text.

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