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August 21, 2008 8:26:39 AM CDT

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Health Experts Don't Cotton to Dirty Lab Coats

Posted Sep 17, 07 4:16 AM CDT in World,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – British doctors have been ordered to ditch their traditional lab coats because the National Health Service has determined that they're unwittingly spreading the superbug MRSA and other deadly hospital-acquired infections from patient to patient on the coats' cuffs. Doctors will now have to work with bare forearms and are banned from wearing watches and jewelry.

Doctors are also being told not to wear ties and will be expected to don plastic aprons during clinical work. In addition, nurses will have the power to report directly to hospital boards when they believe doctors aren't doing enough to ensure proper hygiene. Catching an infection at a hospital is patients' No. 1 concern during their stays, according to a recent survey.

Source Guardian (UK)

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Lab coats   ((c) Plutor)
MEXICO. Mexico City. Hospital. 1996 (LON35281)   (Magnum Photos)
Doctor in a lab coat   (Getty Images)
Technician works while wearing a lab coat.   (Magnum Photos)
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doctor  • hospitals  • infection  • hygiene  • MRSA  • superbug


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