The good news, JennyO, is that hospitals (and staff!!!) have become very aware of exactly how many bugs set up housekeeping in hospitals -- and can no longer be taken care of with antibiotics cuz they're resistant.

I drilled "Don't let anyone touch you without seeing them wash their hands" into Tom from the git-go. But, like I said, hospitals seem to be very aware of the problem. There are antibacterial foams at every door and every elevator. I immediately got into the habit of foaming my hands coming TO the hospital and especially the ICU and on my way OUT of the hospital. Ya don't want to bring anything in or take anything home.

All the computer screens I saw had screensavers about washing hands. All the nursing staff, etc. either washed their hands on entering the room or used the foam or gel -- AND put on gloves. (In the case of Portsmouth Regional, seriously cool purple non-latex gloves which were on the wall at every room door and they left them mostly unguarded so I have a collection.)

It's a good thing to be aware of, but I don't think we need to worry as much as in the bad old days when the medicos were arrogant enough to figure they could zap anything that turned up with antibiotics and get rid of it.

Linn