Who's the Mole of the Men’s Room?

A new program makes sure hospital workers wash properly

By ANDY SALSMAN
Updated 8:45 AM EST, Tue, Nov 3, 2009

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Do you ever get the feeling someone is watching you in the restroom? If you’re at a hospital in Maryland, it may not be your imagination.

The state is launching a new program that keeps close tabs on how doctors and other medical workers wash their hands. Hospitals and clinics will rely on anonymous “non-Infection Preventionists” to watch employees wash.

Think of them as Secret Shoppers of Sanitation!

The goal is to make sure all workers are washing their hands properly and to not make patients even sicker than they already are.

Healthcare-acquired infections are nothing to sneeze at. They cause about $30 billion a year in additional health care costs nationwide, according to the Associated Press.

First Published: Nov 3, 2009 8:30 AM EST

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