Disease fear in doctors’ ties | Guardian Unlimited
…Doctors who wear ties during their hospital rounds in efforts to look professional for their patients could unwittingly spread disease–causing bacteria, says new research.
…Researchers found that nearly half of the ties worn by medical workers harboured bacteria which could cause disease.
…The infections, including the superbug MRSA which is resistant to antibiotics…
Hat Tip BoingBoing

The tie is an anachronism, and its time in the acute healthcare setting is long overdue. The tie on male healthcare workers (esp. doctors) should go the way of artificial nails on female healthcare workers—at least attempts to clean nails were made. A fomite is a fomite!

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This is just political correctness. Take away the doctor's neckties – then what? What about their shoes? Those are covered with germs. “lose the wingtips, doc!” And the pinstriped suits?
I can see an area at the hospital security desk piled high with expensive suits, Italian loafers, dress socks and cufflinks taken from doctors who make their rounds barefoot in hospital gowns. In other words – get real.
This is just political correctness. Take away the doctor’s neckties – then what? What about their shoes? Those are covered with germs. “lose the wingtips, doc!” And the pinstriped suits?
I can see an area at the hospital security desk piled high with expensive suits, Italian loafers, dress socks and cufflinks taken from doctors who make their rounds barefoot in hospital gowns. In other words – get real.