Here's something that would probably rank high in the discomfort rankings for most people: asking a doctor in a clinical setting to wash his or her hands.
Many people find certain professional or authority figures to be a bit intimidating. Some college professors, for instance. Heads of companies. Members of the clergy.
Physicians might outrank them all in that department. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, for example, states that she "never called out anyone" on observed medical behavior or best practices when her brother was in the hospital with pneumonia. Rather, she says, "I was too busy trying to ingratiate myself with the doctors, nurses and orderlies, irrationally hoping that they'd treat my brother better if they liked us."
Her brother -- who contracted four other infections in the intensive care unit -- died at the hospital. Many medical experts say that either negligent treatment of infections or doctors' unmindful habits that increase the probability of a patient contracting infections kills many thousands of patients annually in American hospitals (please see our March 11 blog post).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that medical personnel generally have a "poor" record following hand-washing protocols." Moreover, many doctors wear ties, coats and jewelry that can contain infectious microbes.
"The patient really is the North Star," says Dr. Peter Provonost of Johns Hopkins hospital. Provonost has proved that hospital infections can be greatly reduced through rigid adherence to checklists and by demanding greater accountability in medical settings. He admits that it's hard to question or challenge doctors, but says that patients should feel empowered to do so.
CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen agrees, saying that, "When the consequences are so grave, you have to summon up your courage."
Related Resource: www.nytimes.com "Giving Doctors Orders" April 12, 2011
