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Short-sleeved medical clothing for fear of multiresistant germs in clinics
The classic medical smock will soon be available in many German hospitals. The clinic group Asklepios will be re-dressing the staff in its approximately 100 facilities. Doctors and nurses will then wear short sleeves. However, this has nothing to do with fashion reasons. It is about reducing the germ burden.
Protection against multidrug-resistant germs
With new clothes for the staff, the problem of multidrug-resistant germs should be better addressed in around a hundred German hospitals. As of April, the clinic group Asklepios will introduce short-sleeved clothing for doctors and carers nationwide in its approximately 100 facilities. The classic doctor's coat will be retired from then on. As Group CEO Kai Hankeln said, according to a news agency dpa report, it responds to patients' concern about being infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria: "We also feel that this project is confirmed by a representative study that will be held in September on the Patient Safety Day Order had given. The result: 65 percent of the respondents are afraid of becoming infected with a multidrug-resistant germ during a stay in the hospital, "Hankeln said in a press release.
Short sleeves for doctors. Picture: Kurhan - fotolia Sleeves of doctor's coats are particularly stressed
According to various studies, the sleeves of the doctor's coat are particularly heavily loaded with pathogens. Only a few months ago, a study was published, which showed that hospital staff mostly transmit germs through their own coat and gloves. "The doctors go from patient to patient and examine them. The long sleeve has contact with the patients. The doctor disinfects his hands, but he does not change his coat every time, "said Hankeln. According to own data Asklepios is the first large hospital operator in Germany, which has decided to take this step. The group is said to follow recommendations from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Although short-sleeved clothing has long been standard in operating theaters and intensive care units, the long-sleeved white doctor's smock has been a hallmark and status symbol on the normal wards.
Older doctors are more reluctant to wear new clothes
The company management had to do a lot of persuading for the abolition. "This is a considerable communicative effort," said Hankeln. For younger physicians the farewell to the traditional smock is easier. "For senior chief physicians, that's a certain hurdle they need to skip." He went on to say, "There was even a study showing the placebo effect of the white coat, which has a positive effect on the patient's disease course."
All in white only for doctors
The hierarchy in the Asklepios clinics will continue to be recognizable in clothing. So a completely white costume is reserved for the doctors. For examined sisters and nurses there is a distinction to a gray V-neckline with green stripes on the lapel. Those who are still in training must wear gray pants and auxiliaries are completely dressed in gray. It is said, however, that the traditional long-sleeved medical smock is not abolished. However, physicians need to remove it and hang it on the hook before dealing with the patient. In addition to the usual hand washing also the disinfection including the forearms is required.
Clinic company saves millions of euros
The company also saves a lot of money with the new clothing. Reinhard Wiedemann, Head of Purchasing at Asklepios, explained in a press release: "We have achieved something that rarely succeeds in such projects: We save a mid-single-digit million amount per year through the centralization of apparel procurement, but at the same time provide our employees a significantly better fabric quality than previously available. Money that we can continue to invest in improving our medical services. "More than 30,000 employees, including more than 4,000 doctors, are given rugs and pants. In addition, 1.7 million patients reportedly purchased new shirts, bed linen and towels. The change of linen should be completed by June 2017. The Asklepios Clinic in Hamburg-Harburg should start in April. (Ad)