Dr. Betsy McCaughey of RID (Reduce Infection Deaths) pointed out in last week’s Wall Street Journal that when it comes to inspections for bacteria and other infection sources, the restaurants in every state in the nation are held to a higher standard than hospitals or other healthcare physicians.
She points out that inadequate hygiene in hospitals causes 100,000 deaths per year, while the CDC estimates that only 2,500 people die from food-borne illnesses like those that may come from restaurants. And those restaurants are inspected diligently in most areas, and far more than hospitals or other facilities ever are.
And here’s a real question mark. According to her article, prior to 1970, hospitals routinely tested the surfaces in operating rooms, patient rooms, labs and other locations for pathogens. In 1970 these facilities were told to stop testing because it was unnecessary. And now, 37 years later, there has been a 32 times increase in the number of deaths from hospital acquired infections such as MRSA. So why hasn’t the CDC updated its policy?
Dr. McCaughey asks the question in regards to hospitals, doctors’ offices and other facilities, “Why aren’t hospitals and doctors’ offices held to the same standard and inspected regularly? Going to a restaurant is voluntary. Going to a hospital is not.”
As patients, we should be asking these questions, too. And insisting, as we are able, that when we do visit any type of healthcare facility that hands are well washed and sanitized, and that instruments, equipment and other surfaces in the facility have been cleaned and sanitized, too.
Last year, at least 100,000 people didn’t do that insisting. And this year, they no longer have that option.
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Learn more about MRSA and other hospital acquired infections at About.com.
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