Most physicians wash their hands after seeing a patient – just because it wasn’t personally witnessed, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Many sinks and alcohol-based cleansers are outside of the patient’s view in many hospitals. This lawyer urges everyone to speak up:
The law can do only so much to address the wrongdoing. Proving causation is often extremely challenging, and few relish the prospect of suing a doctor (despite myths to the contrary that drive tort “reform” proposals).Finally, and most importantly, a malpractice lawsuit means that the damage is already done. For the plaintiff, it is usually too late.
Therefore, no matter how timid you might feel when the doctor walks into the room where you have been patiently waiting, remember that he is there to help you. If you do not see your doctor wash his hands, then be sure to say something. You then make it clear that even if the doctors have forgotten the germ theory of disease that is the foundation of modern medicine, you and your loved ones have not.
Similar Posts:
- Health courts, and how they can save our health care system
- How you can catch the flu after touching money
- Does the tort-based medical malpractice system improve patient care?
{ 8 comments }
We have moved the alcohol wash to a plavce where the patient can see us use it. I use it before and after touvhing a patient even if I just used when a left a previous room. I think its a great idea to do it in front of the patient.
I have had only one patient mention hand washing to me, and since she did I did it again in front of her without complaint. That’s when we decided to move the alcohol to where the handwashing could be seen.
I have had fewer colds since washing both before and after, rather than just after. This is one of those little things that can reassure patients and actually do something to reduce infection
No, stork, this lawyer is out to GET YOU!! Nevermind that he’s a law professor and that he’s probably never filed a med mal case in his life or that we don’t know his politics or opinions on any issues, he’s a LAWYER. And as a result, he’s clearly after your kids’ college fund.
Run, don’t walk away as fast as you can. Logical thinking has no place here!
I think the concept of washing needs to be pushed even more.
I would like to see hospital visitors encouraged to wash their hands when entering and leaving rooms (especially if they’re lawyers).
why not give doctors and other people PURELL dispensers that they can wear on their belt???? you coudl purell up each time you see a patient and you woudlnt have to find a sink or dispenser. im surprised noone has thought of this one. CB
Kevin, am I to believe you who so often takes the position that the physician can do no wrong or the multiple nurses I know who report that they see doctors violating this most basic precaution time and time again and are offended when reminded to wash their hands?
When studies show not even 60% of doctors wash their hands properly, the patients and lawyers have been given an opening to ask questions. If MD’s were doing things right, this wouldn’t even be an issue. Don’t blame the lawyers. Blame the MD’s that give the rest of you a bad name.
As was pointed out, the handwash police assume that what they see didn’t exist; if the monitor failed to see that proper hand care did occur then they assume the failure was someone else’s.
I’ve taken to performing the worlds longest hand drying ritual. I wash with soap and water in the recovery room because I want to leave behind anything on my hands (not just smear it around with foam). Then with my drying towels I walk down the hall and around two corners for about 150 feet total, find the next patient’s room and enter all while completing the now mock drying ritual. This allows one washing to satisfy the hand care nannies at both locations, plus the patient gets to witness the same. It’s just another game we learn to play to pass the day.
If you touched the door handle, I want you to wash your hands before you touch me, certainly beofre you stick a needle in me. Even if you washed them a minute ago 130 feet from my room.
Comments on this entry are closed.