Doctors' Ties Collect Bacteria

During a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Dr. Steven Nurkin reported research findings which indicate that doctors' ties collect and potentially transmit infectious bacteria at a far greater rate than ties worn by other hospital workers. Almost half the ties worn by clinicians were found to harbor disease-causing bacteria, eight times the level found on ties worn by security personnel at the same hospital. The research results make a lot of sense since a doctor's tie is front and center during all patient examinations while customarily being an afterthought when it comes to doing laundry.

Because of the findings, some doctors believe that ties should not be required. I disagree. With cultural norms trending more and more toward informal and casual attire, doctors (and others with societal distinction) should maintain a minimum level of professional decorum. Wearing a tie is not too much to ask. Hopefully, frequently washing the tie is also not too much to ask.