Emergency physician W. Frank Peacock discusses his article, "What if a doctor didn't wash their hands between patients?" He explores the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing hospital-acquired infections while exposing a major gap in infection control: unwashed stethoscopes. Frank highlights how stethoscopes, often overlooked in sanitation protocols, can transfer pathogens between patients, rendering rigorous hand hygiene efforts ineffective. He critiques disposable stethoscopes for their poor acoustic quality and high misdiagnosis rates, advocating instead for single-use disposable barriers that create a touch-free, aseptic environment. Tune in to discover why standard cleaning methods fail and how innovative solutions could revolutionize medical hygiene.

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Why hand washing isn't enough to stop infections in hospitals

The Podcast by KevinMD