Why don't doctors & nurses ALWAYS wash their hands before each patient? It stops the spread of infection.?

Question

Stop the spread of hospital borne infections. Wash your hands? Why is this not paramount in the minds and actions of our medical profession.

Answer 1

Washing hands is VERY important within hospitals. At the hospital I work at there are signs posted all over the place basically reminding people. Sometime there is antibacterial lotion outside the patients door so you might not always see them wash their hands. Basically whenever you are in a hospital go ahead and ask the nurse/dr/tech to wash their hands they won't get offended. Better safe than sorry!

Answer 2

Washing the hands 50-75+ time per day every day with soap and water can cause the doctor or nurse's hands to dry out, crack and get sores. Many hospitals and clinics have switched to an anti-bacterial lotion that is just as effective at killing the bacteria as soap and water. So...if you see your doctor or nurse squirting some lotion on their hands between patients, it is probably the antibacterial cleanser.

Answer 3

Have to agree with you there.
I've read where Doctors themselves suggest that when yours first comes into the room to examine you, go ahead and ask him/her to first wash their hands...they appreciate it because sometimes they are behind on getting to their patients and can forget.
And if anyone should know the importance of washing hands, it's a Doctor.

Answer 4

Yeah I noticed this in the past to, even in the ER they come right in & don't always wash their hands,scary huh
I guess they are so rushed & lack of sleep they forget after all their only human.
Guess it's up to us to value our health & speak up.

Answer 5

Every doctor I have ever seen washes their hands in the room before they started to examine me.
If they didn't, I would insist.
Where do you live?

Answer 6

Lazy and forgetful people ....Its sick!!!!