1. Dressed to Kill? Can Neckties Spread Infection? COPYRIGHT © 2014, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED From the Publishers of

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3. Copyright © 2014 Dear Consult Guys: I am a member of my hospital’s infection control and safety committee and am asking the two of you to weigh in on an issue that we are discussing. One of our members recently visited a hospital in Great Britain and noticed that none of the physicians involved in patient care were wearing neckties. He found out that neckties are forbidden by policy of the National Health Service. Upon arrival home he’s made it his mission to ban neckties in our hospital. The issue has gotten pretty heated. There are some who say they are an infection risk and should go the way of bloodletting and leeches. Others say that neckties are part of appropriate attire that show respect for patients and actually give patients and their families confidence in their doctor. I thought that you two “fashionistas” and medical experts would be the best to answer this one. Sincerely, Concerned Doc Dear Consult Guys: I am a member of my hospital’s infection control and safety committee and am asking the two of you to weigh in on an issue that we are discussing. One of our members recently visited a hospital in Great Britain and noticed that none of the physicians involved in patient care were wearing neckties. He found out that neckties are forbidden by policy of the National Health Service. Upon arrival home he’s made it his mission to ban neckties in our hospital. The issue has gotten pretty heated. There are some who say they are an infection risk and should go the way of bloodletting and leeches. Others say that neckties are part of appropriate attire that show respect for patients and actually give patients and their families confidence in their doctor. I thought that you two “fashionistas” and medical experts would be the best to answer this one. Sincerely, Concerned Doc

4. Do bacteria colonize neckties? Are neckties ever cleaned? Is infection spread via neckties? Should neck ties be banned from the hospital? Key Items to Consider Copyright © 2014

5. Ditchburn I. Should Doctors Wear Ties? J Hosp Infect. 2006; 63: 227-8.

6. 40 ties 20% 8 ties tested positive s. aureus 1 tie tested positive MRSA

7. Fischer RL. Does physician attire influence patient satisfaction in an outpatient obstetrics and gynecology setting? American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2007; 196: 186.e1–186.e5.

8. Rehman SU. What to wear today? Effect of doctor's attire on the trust and confidence of patients. Am J Med. 2005; 118: 1279-86.

9. Who do you Trust the Most? Rehman SU, et al. What to wear today? Effect of doctor’s attire on the trust and confidence of patients. Am J Med. 2005. 118: 1279-86. 7.0 80.5 8.34.3

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