title: Losing touch in the era of superbugs?
abstract: Nosocomial infections are increasingly multidrug resistant and at times more virulent. As such, they pose real threats to patients and clinicians. In this essay the author discusses his own methacillin-resistant staphylococcus infection and how it has affected his work in the hospital. In so doing, he reflects on the value of touch in the doctor-patient relationship. In particular, he discusses how gloves serve as a barrier to infection but also create a small distance between the doctors and their patients. The implications of contact precautions must be considered as we reflect on balancing patient-centered care with infection control.
authors.affiliation: Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA. leif.hass@gmail.com
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hass
mesh_terms: D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D014110:Touch