New Guidelines Take Aim at Doctors’ Attire in Hospital in Fight Against Infections
New guidelines released by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has focused on doctors’ apparel while visiting patients in hospital settings. The new guidelines note that deadly germs that cause hospital infections may be carried and transmitted from lab coats, watches, rings, and neckties. The new guidelines suggest that lab coats should be kept clean (laundered once a week) and items such as watches and rings should be discarded when visiting sick patients in the hospital. Hospital acquired infections lead to numerous health complications and further delays in treatment. In addition to the infections that are transmitted from the apparel of healthcare workers, there are mandatory reporting requirements in New Hampshire for infections acquired during a hospital stay. New Hampshire hospitals are required to report these infections and monitor best practices to ensure quality healthcare in NH healthcare facilities.
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