Doctors Admit Washing Hands 75% of Time: Actual Rate Less Than 10%!
According to a recent article by Good Morning America/ABC News, a study found that doctors reported washing their hands about 73% of the time. However when the same doctors were observed, the rate was actually 9%.
The article reports that Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles tried to solve the problem using memos and meetings but it was ineffective. They then began offering Starbucks $10 gift cards to doctors observed washing their hands which only slightly improved rates of hand washing. The hospital finally found it a picture of the bacteria on the top of a doctor's hands, placed upon the screensavers of all hospital computers resulted in the hand washing rate shooting up to and remaining at nearly 100%.
As a patient or concerned family member asking or observing your doctor washing his/her hands may be a patient’s best defense for avoiding hospital acquired infections.
If you or a family member believes that you have a case involving injury due to a hospital visit, please contact us on-line at Regan Zambri & Long or call us at 202-463-3030 for a free consultation. If you would like to receive our complimentary electronic newsletter, please click here.