We used to hear that male pediatricians do not wear ties to prevent the spread of infection.
Recently an article in the New England Journal of Medicine “issued new guidelines to help prevent infection transmission through healthcare personnel attire outside the operating room,” while acknowledging “role of clothing in cross-transmission remains “poorly established.” http://www.jwatch.org/
Among the recommendations, published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology:
“A bare-below-the-elbows strategy” (roll up your sleeves doctor!)
…. more than White Coat should be available and “ hooks should be provided so that coats can be removed before patient contact. “
“All apparel that comes in contact with the patient or patient environment should be washed after daily…”
To read the full NEJM article “ID Experts Issue Recommendations on Healthcare Attire” by Amy Orciari Herman, highlight and click on open hyperlinkhttp://www.jwatch.org/fw108382/2014/01/22/id-experts-issue-recommendations-healthcare-attire