A rap on the knuckles

There was little appetite amongst medics for fist-bumping on wards – despite claims it could help prevent the spread of infections. members – which includes nurses, microbiologists, researchers and other medics – were scathing.

One warned that fist- bumping could be seen as aggressive, especially by those suffering from mental health problems.

“This may be misconstrued as a fist coming towards them which might be threatening,” he said.

“It could be misinterpreted. An open hand offered as a greeting is far less threatening than a fist.”

Another said: “We are not rappers. And just because the US President does it does not make it a good thing.”

A third respondent added: “The handshake is integral to a good patientdoctor relationship and is internationally known as a gesture of friendship and trust.

“When this fist- bump fad loses its entertainment value, what will be next – chest-bumps?”

Howe ve r, plastic

su rg e o n

and fist-bump proponent Dr Tom McClellan – who has conducted experiments measuring the transmission of bacteria from both fist- bumps and handshakes – said he’d hoped medics would have been more open to the idea.

He said: “Fist- bumping was never intended to be the panacea of infection control. It was meant to be a fun reminder that we spread infection with interpersonal rituals.

“Proper hand-washing is still the best method. I’m very surprised by the resistance to try something new by the health care community.

“We, as doctors, should embrace simple concepts that have the potential to educate the general public and bring a little humour into medicine.”

Poor hand hygiene is one of the main causes of the spread of superbugs such as C.diff, as well as infections including E. coli, flu and norovirus. Experts say washing hands for 15 seconds is key to halting the spread of bugs.

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