BMA: Dress codes must be practical and realistic
Monday, 17 Sep 2007 12:01
Doctors' dress codes must be practical in addition to helping reduce the spread of healthcare-associated infection, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.
Its comments come in response to government guidelines banning ties, watches, jewellery and long-sleeved white coats and shirts from hospital wards.
The new recommendations aim to reduce rates of the infections MRSA and Clostridium difficile as hand and wrist washing is not as effective with material around the wrist.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics for the BMA, welcomed the new rules but warned that clothing rules are "only one aspect of preventing and controlling infection".
"A co-ordinated approach addressing all the relevant factors, for example dress code, bed occupancy, hygiene in hospital and isolation policies, is most likely to be successful," she added.
"We must also emphasise the importance of visitors using the antiseptic gels provided when they visit hospitals. Health professionals, patients and visitors all have a role to play in reducing hospital-acquired infections.
"In addition, any new guidelines on dress code must be practical, realistic and sensitive to different religious groups."
