14 February 2019 | sparksjl

5 | The problems I see with Britain's National Health Service.

Here in America, we do things differently...thankfully. I watched as surgeons, private as well as those in the NHS preforming full, open anatomy, general anesthesia surgical procedures with NO FACE MASKS. In fact most of the episodes show no one at all in the entire surgical theater wearing face masks. Many of these surgeries are to fix problems caused by infections resulting from the original "Botched" procedures. Yet they take no thought or care to cover their mouths and noses while in surgery. One surgeon was sitting next to the gurney and had blood in several places near his mouth and nose. Now, it is not just a danger to the surgical staff but mostly for the patients for cross contamination. A sudden reflex sneeze or cough anywhere close to the open incision sends mucous and sputum out in a near atomized form to possible infect a patient.



I was truly shocked to see these surgical habits. Another was doctors and surgeons in their exam rooms, examining a patient with no protective surgical gloves on...ever. Even examining a patient's inner lips and mouth, in post surgery follow-up.



The rule I believe should be, never give anything you have to the patient and don't get anything from the patient.



I know the NHS is a deep, deep hole the UK pours money into. But you would think, for the sake of not having more doctor caused health problems and thus, more delays for patients needing to be treated, that the health providers would take all common and necessary precautions in caring for their patients.



My takeaway from the show is this. If you need or want something done, don't go the cheap route and head to Thailand or some such place. If it's worth having it done, then wait to have it done properly. Next, if the doctor doesn't take these precautions, spend a few pounds and buy them for the folks treating you to use.



Finally, if I am ever sick in the UK and it's not an emergency, I'll wait until I get home. That or travel with sealed face masks and exam gloves.



A little precaution goes a long way. Preventive medicine starts with, don't make your patients sicker than they were when they came to see you.