on washing hands

The most disturbing and gross statement in Atul Gawande's essay is that"we doctors and nurses wash our hands one-third to one-half as often as we are supposed to" because it shows you that germs are being spread more easily due to someone's laziness and/or unwillingness to wash their hands. While I was reading this essay I was really grossed out by this. I was thinking about it and imagine all of the things and people they touch and what kind of germs and virusus are lerking on them, it is now possible that you could have it because the hospital staff isnt washing their hands like they ought to be. My major is nursing and this essay really makes me want to be rigorous about washing my hands when i get into the hospital setting because I dont want to be the one to give someone who has a low immune system a virus or something like that and get them very ill. I think they all need to think about the consequences of not washing thier hands because they probably have gotten a few people ill that way and it could have been avoided. One other thing that this essay made me think of (little off track)is people who work in fast food establishments or restuarants and the washing of their hands. They probably lack in washing more than the hospital staff and are spreading germs and virus just as bad. It is gross to think of but how are you going to know that they actually washed thier hands before visiting you. Thankfully though the use of hand sanitizer is higher despite all of the controversies they had with it in the beginning (worries of fertility reduction for example. "We have gone so far as to add an extra person to the team, known as the circulating nurse, who central jos is, essentailly, to keep the team of antisepsis." This makes me feel better that they are working towards better cleanliness.