Gawande, ?On Washing Hands?

Discussion questions: Gawande, "On Washing Hands" (2007)

1. Think about the construction of this essay. Why does Gawande include the long list of infections that Yokoe and Marino have had to deal with? Why include the historical section on Semmelweis? Why include the section on how operating rooms have been reinvented to reduce infection? Why include Perreiah's approach, even though it was only temporarily successful? Why end with the story of his own patient? And how does the essay build up to the approach Gawande finds most promising?

2. What in this essay surprised you most?

3. If you know anyone who works in health care, ask them how they or their employer have tackled the issue of washing hands.

4. Washing hands frequently has been proven to help people avoid colds and other communicable diseases, especially in group settings like classrooms and dorms. How often do you wash your own hands? What changes might make it easier for you do so more often?