SSS 2011-08-31

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Handwashing is the best way to avoid spreading infection, according to the CDC. But doctors, nurses and hospital staff wash up less than half as often as they should. Some hospitals encourage handwashing by posting signs that tell docs a simple scrub will prevent them from getting sick. But a study finds a more effective reminder¹: clean hands help(s) patients. The research is in the journal Psychological Science. 

 

Investigators² posted one of three signs at 66 soap and sanitizer dispensers in a US hospital. Either "Hand hygiene³ prevents you from catching⁴ diseases," "Hand hygiene prevents patients from catching diseases," or a control sign that read "Gel in, wash out." Then they measured how much soap and gel disappeared after two weeks. And they asked a few docs and nurses to spy on their colleagues' handwashing habits.

 

Turns out hospital staff used 33 percent more soap and gel at dispensers with the message about patients. And the eyewitnesses⁵ found that staff was 10 percent more likely to lather⁶ up—especially nurses. A promising⁷ start. Though you can't blame patients for wishing docs and nurses washed their hands every time they should.

 

Thanks for the minute. For Scientific American's 60-Second Science, I'm Christopher Intagliata.

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