REDUCTION OF INFECTION

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28314, 27 June 1957, Page 18

REDUCTION OF INFECTION

White Coats For Medical Staff

No better simple method of reducing infection and drawing the attention of all to the necessity for care could be adopted than the wearing of white coats in wards by the medical staff, the retiring director of surgery (Mr L. A. Bennett) reported to the hospital committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board.

As a measure to reduce cross Infection, particularly the spread of staphylococci resistant to antibiotics, some members of the visiting staff were wearing white coats and the practice was spreading, Mr Bennett reported. The hospital committee reported to the board yesterday that it was most anxious that the staff should be encouraged to wear white coats. A letter from Mr G. H. Oldham suggesting greater use of coats and that nurses’ uniforms be considered as a possible source of cross-infection had been referred to the Lad> Superintendent (Mrs M. Chambers) for comment.

“It would certainly look verymuch better if all the medical staff were dressed in whitecoats,” commented the chairman (Dr. L. C. L. Averill).

Instructions issued early in 1956 by the board that caps, gowns and masks were to be worn by all members of the medical staff was suspended after representations by the staff.