Sir, – I was astonished and dismayed to read that the Health Information Quality Authority found that not even one hospital scored even 90 per cent compliance with regard to proper hand hygiene (Home News, September 4th). On the radio, I heard that nurses are “afraid” to insist that doctors wash their hands between each case. And the doctors are worse than the nurses. What on earth is going on? Don’t these same doctors and nurses think about the awful consequences that will occur by not doing so.
Having worked mostly abroad, it was normal for the nurse to insist doctors washed their hands in front of the patient if necessary and to change gowns before each case. This situation was never challenged and, in fact, the professional nurse/doctor relationship was always one of the utmost respect and friendliness.
In Second Opinion (“Organisational culture has the upper hand over hygiene”, HealthPLUS, September 17th), Jacky Jones summed up the situation very neatly: “What is needed is quite simple. Hospital managers, every consultant, nurses and all supervisors must model best practice hand-hygiene behaviour and expect their peers and colleagues to follow suit. Reminders should be issued in front of patients if necessary.”
When highly educated and highly paid professionals cannot be bothered with even basic hand hygiene, then patients must speak up and challenge them. – Yours, etc,
CATHERINE T GENT,
Amberwood,
Ballivor,
Co Meath.