In a move to cut health care associated infections, certain attire for health care professionals, including the traditional white coat, may become a thing of the past.
Mark Rupp, M.D., chief of the division of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and one of the authors of recommendations issued by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), one of the world's top infection control organizations, said that white coats, neckties, and wrist watches can become contaminated and may potentially serve as vehicles to carry germs from one patient to another.
Dr. Rupp, who is a past president of SHEA, said that however, it is unknown whether white coats and neck ties play any real role in transmission of infection.
It includes a review of patient and health care professionals' perceptions of the health professionals' attire and transmission risk, suggesting professionalism may not be contingent on wearing the traditional white coat.
The authors developed the recommendations based on limited evidence, theoretical rationale, practical considerations, a survey of SHEA membership and SHEA Research Network, author expert opinion and consensus, and consideration of potential harm where applicable. The SHEA Research Network is a consortium of more than 200 hospitals collaborating on multi-center research projects.
The recommendations are set to appear online in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
