50 per cent of cross-infections are spread through hands if not disinfected, say experts
Mumbai : City microbiologists and health experts stated that they need to understand whether the study of Dr Edmond Fernandes ‘Banning Indian doctors from wearing long-sleeved white coats can reduce spread of infections’ is based on doctors posted at Out-Patient Department basis (OPD), Intensive-Care unit (ICU) or Operation Theatre (OT) because doctors at OT or ICU do not wear long-sleeved white coats.
Health experts pointed out that for patients’ protection, it is crucial that the doctors follow guidelines and maintain hygiene by washing their white coats at regular basis. They further added that hand-washing is significant for all the hospital staff before and after checking patients as 50 per cent of cross-infections are spread through hands if they are not disinfected properly.
The study by Dr Fernandes in Bombay Medical Journal had specified that long-sleeved white coats spread infection and lead to avoidable harm and cost to patients.
Further, the study highlighted that in India, changing areas in hospital are rare because of space constraints and junior doctors often leave their coats on chairs, tables and corridors.
Shedding light on the issue, Dr Abhay Chowdhary, head of department of Microbiology at JJ Hospital, said, “There are various aspects into this study as we need to know whether the study talks for doctors working at OPD, casualty, ICU or OT because the doctors do not wear long-sleeved white coats at OT and ICU. However, those working at OPD or casualty wards need to maintain hygiene by hand-washing before and after making a contact with patients as they treat people with open wounds and other ailments. Also as compared to white coats, doctors’ hands pose huge threat for spread of infections to patients if they are not sterilised properly.”
Manasi Tahalani
