Don't worry. Keep your shirt on. No one on this side of the pond says you have to toss your tie or long-sleeved shirts. Although ties, white coats, and scrubs could serve as a vehicle for transmitting harmful bacteria, little scientific evidence exists to tie clothing to infection rates, according to American Medical News' coverage of a report issued by the American Medical Association Board of Trustees.
For now, it looks like the American Medical Association won't endorse any policy like the United Kingdom Department of Health's ban on long-sleeved shirts. According to American Medical News, the report noted that the Brits outlaws long sleeves, because they interfere with effective hand washing. But even the U.K. health secretary recognized there was no clear evidence that the dress code policy would lower infection rates.
The AMA report urged physicians and the public to make hand hygiene a priority. It also advised physicians to wear clean clothes and shoes.
"Dirty scrubs and dirty shoes do not qualify," Dr. Cyril Hetsko, an AMA Board of Trustee member said during testimony during an AMA meeting in June.
To learn more:
- read the American Medical News piece
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