Hand sanitizer vs. soap

October 23, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: A little background: I have been a blood donor since the 1980s and am close to the six gallon mark. Twelve years ago our son had acute myelocytic leukemia. He has been in remision for over 11 years. My wife and I are thankful. I was able to see first hand what infusions can do, especially to one neutropenic. When our son was at home between chemo sessions we gave him the infusions. Cleanliness was next to godliness.

Now, the local blood bank where I donate sent a letter claiming that the donors are messy in the restrooms leaving scraps of paper towels all over the floor. In response to this they have done away with them and have now told the donors to use the hand sanitizer on the wall outside the restrooms. They claims that this is fine.
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Reducing the spread of germs

October 30, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: A few years ago, my mother read something in your column that led her to believe that because urine is sterile, she doesn’t need to wash her hands after urinating.

Not having read that particular question and response, I don’t know what information you conveyed. The problem for us now is that she is clinging to that “advice.” She lives in an assisted-living community, and the hygiene issue affects many other people. So, between whatever it was she gleaned from your column and a false claim to being allergic to soap, we have a real problem.
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Wife wants husband to wash hands

August 18, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My husband uses self-catheters four times a day, voiding into a urinal he holds between his legs. He uses a baby wipe before and after on his hands and rinses the urinal. He believes this is enough. I wish he would wash his hands under running water after putting his urinal away. Is there any way to convince him to do this?

DEAR READER: Try a compromise. Ask him to wash his hands under running water before coming to the dinner table, using the telephone, touching doorknobs, and after petting the dog. Make it sound as if it’s his idea to deter bacteria, not yours.

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