title: Facts and fancies in hospital infection.
abstract: The history of infection in hospitals reveals that a surprising number of the practices that have been introduced at various times as control measures were based on original misconceptions. Curiously in this modern era, a significant number of these infections control practices, lacking a scientific basis, are still widely employed, and some of them have developed into increasingly expensive rituals. The escalating cost of medical care suggests that the time has come to examine these rituals to assess their cost-effectiveness and so decide on their future.
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans