Pretty interesting article from the Freakonomics guys about the large efforts it took to get docs at Cedars Sinai to change a relatively simple behavior with a big impact on patient safety— washing their hands. One gets the impression the same hospital didn’t work quite that hard on understanding how to effect a different behavior change, also concerning doctors and patient safety.
Ever wonder what the hand washing rate was for your typical restaurant employee? “Would you like spinach with that e-coli?” I know that since the SARS issue I have been extremely diligent in washing my hands – men usually don’t think it’s an issue, maybe that’s why docs don’t comply very well.