Palmo Anest

Smile? No problem... White coat? No thanks!

Our dynamic new DG (I do respect him) reminded all of us to put up a smile and wears our white coat when we are working in the hospital.

Well, IMHO, wearing a smile is very important and good for everyone... but sometimes we are just too tired or even angry to put up a smile... a freindly reminder by colleagues and friends would help.

However, a white coat, IMHO, shouldn't be the dress code of a houseman and medical officer doing 1st line work in the hospital. It had been proved that white coat and tie is the sourse of hospital acquired infection. And a study published in Med J Aust. had shown us that: A minimum threshold of two items of formal attire (dress pants, dress shirt, tie, or white coat) were necessary to inspire a reasonable amount of confidence; this is the NND (number needed to dress). I'd add a name tag to the dress shirt and pants and that should be good enough.

So... please DON'T ask us to wear our Tie and white coat so that we don't contaminate our patients and our family members with hospital bugs! In fact hospital should encourage us to change into scrub shirt rather then keeping it exclusively for specific units like OT, ICU etc..

posted by LT @ 12:21 AM