Transcript neck - Pilgrims Hospital

Dr. Nikhilesh Todkari
NECKTIE AS A POTENTIAL VECTOR OF
INFECTION.

Study carried out to assess
 Presence
of potential pathogens on necktie
 frequency of laundering of ties
 attitude of doctors on not wearing a tie

Potential pathogens included
 S.aureus
 Gram-negative
 VRE
bacteria
METHOD
1.
Questionnaire



2.
Grade and speciality
Frequency of laundered necktie
Preference of wearing a tie at work
Incubation
•
•
•
Necktie swabbed
Columbia blood agar used
Incubation at 37 degrees for 48h.
RESULTS
1/3 (95/265) of all male doctors took part
 NCHDs (61%) vs Consultants (13%)

Grade
Number
Pathogens
present
Objection of not
wearing a tie
Intern
14
1 (7%)
5 (36%)
SHO
14
4 (29%)
1 (7%)
Registrar
49
8 (17%)
9 (18%)
Consultant
18
4 (22%)
4 (22%)
Total
95
17 (18%)
19 (20%)

Pathogens


Skin flora (CoNS, dipetheroids,micrococci) found on ALL
ties.
10 ties - S.aureus





7 MRSA
3 MSSA
3 ties - mixture of Gram-negative bacilli and S.aureus
VRE not detected on any tie
NO significant association between doctor’s grade and
prsence of pathogens.
RESULTS
55% (52/95) NEVER laundered their tie.
 Only 15/95 had laundered tie in past 2 months
 No relationship between laundering of ties and
number of pathogens.
 Majority of doctors 81% would be happy not to
wear a tie to work.

CONCLUSION
Presence of skin flora on ties suggests they are
handled regularly
 Laundering of ties has no impact on bacterial
colonisation
 Majority of doctors surveyed had no objection
to not wearing a tie.
 Is it time to hang the tie?
