[mech4bg]

I was not impressed with the lack of handwashing at our local hospital. Last time I was there I noticed they'd put up signs encouraging patients to ask their care provider if they'd washed their hands. I had a nurse come out, bring me in, then start putting in an IV without washing his hands. I asked him if he'd washed his hands and he very quickly answered "yes" and put the line into my vein - while I was calculating the number of doors and surfaces he'd touched coming out to get me and then lead me into the interior rooms. It was excruciating asking him about that.

Most of my doctors visits seem to involve the doctor not washing their hands when they come in, and then not washing their hands after examinations.

I am baffled by this behavior - you would think that they would know the best how important hand-washing is.

It's wild in that article how hard he found it to give feedback to his colleague about his hand-washing. As a patient I find it incredibly uncomfortable mentioning it to medical staff, and yet it is so important.

I wish the article had actually done a deep dive into why this seems so widespread and what could be done to change it.

[stevehawk]

If possible, I'd try to find another hospital/doctor. My wife (breast cancer surgeon) has the worst skin in the world and it's because she's adamant about washing her hands as she walks into a room and as she walks out of the room (even before COVID). Meanwhile, I have these dainty soft keyboard hands that she is envious of. But, it's not just that she's strict about it, it's that her hospital as a whole is strict about it and minimizing post-op/wound care/consult infections. It's bad for the patient and it's bad for the hospital (re: not profitable).

[mech4bg]

I've seen it at multiple medical facilities here unfortunately. Maybe it's a Portland thing?

[stevehawk]

it's possible. it's a change that has to start at the top and most hospitals in an area tend to be owned by the same company