Comments on: This law professor tries hard to find a way to sue doctors for not washing their hands http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: washed uphttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html#comment-64114 washed up Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:21:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find-a-way-to-sue-doctors-for-not-washing-their-hands.html#comment-64114 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. 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.

]]> By: Gasmanhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html#comment-64111 Gasman Thu, 15 Jun 2006 12:55:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find-a-way-to-sue-doctors-for-not-washing-their-hands.html#comment-64111 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. <br/><br/>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. 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.

]]> By: Mark Grabanhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html#comment-64110 Mark Graban Thu, 15 Jun 2006 12:09:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find-a-way-to-sue-doctors-for-not-washing-their-hands.html#comment-64110 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. 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.

]]> By: Elliotthttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html#comment-64100 Elliott Thu, 15 Jun 2006 05:44:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find-a-way-to-sue-doctors-for-not-washing-their-hands.html#comment-64100 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? 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?

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html#comment-64093 Anonymous Thu, 15 Jun 2006 01:31:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find-a-way-to-sue-doctors-for-not-washing-their-hands.html#comment-64093 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 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

]]> By: Greg Phttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html#comment-64090 Greg P Thu, 15 Jun 2006 01:01:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find-a-way-to-sue-doctors-for-not-washing-their-hands.html#comment-64090 I think the concept of washing needs to be pushed even more.<br/><br/>I would like to see hospital visitors encouraged to wash their hands when entering and leaving rooms (especially if they're lawyers). 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).

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html#comment-64078 Anonymous Wed, 14 Jun 2006 22:43:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find-a-way-to-sue-doctors-for-not-washing-their-hands.html#comment-64078 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.<br/><br/>Run, don't walk away as fast as you can. Logical thinking has no place here! 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!

]]> By: storkdochttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find.html#comment-64073 storkdoc Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:58:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/06/this-law-professor-tries-hard-to-find-a-way-to-sue-doctors-for-not-washing-their-hands.html#comment-64073 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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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 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

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