Medical equipment and hygiene

Most hospitals and clinics, although not all, have an internal rule that states that medical wear and gear (such as scrubs, labcoats, masks, stethoscopes, ...) cannot be worn outside the hospital facilities. Sounds weird, right? Why shouldn't medical professionals be allowed to go outside for a while without having to change clothes?

There is a very good and valid reason for this rule... and unfortunately, even in places where this rule exists in writing, it is often overlooked or ignored. The motive behind this imposition is connected to infections: medical wear and gear easily gather contaminants in non-clean environments, and can unwittingly carry germs from outside the facilities to the inside, or from the inside to the outside. It is a sanitary issue that all medical professionals should be aware of, and that should be addressed by all medical organizations.

Patients in hospitals often have weakened immunitary systems, due to already existing ilnesses or post-surgery recovery. When they are infected by such contaminants (even the most common ones), the risk of complications increases, as they have less means to resist the effects. When such infections occur, and the cause can be traced to negligence of the professionals involved, the patient or respective familiy should have the right to seek legal compensation.

Hospital health and safety can mark the difference between lives saved or lives endangered. As the phrase goes, "choose life".