The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.
The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: “Improved dressing technique. Picture shows the dressing trolley ready for use. The only person who handles the articles from the trolley is the “clean” nurse.”
During 1940 and 1941, W. McKissock, J. Wright and A. A. Miles conducted an experiment which modified the dressing technique for four months. A reduction in infection rates during this experiment compared to the prior four month period was noted. It was believed that the main cause of infection was the spread of “infected discharge” between patients by members of staff. The dressing team could not be reduced to fewer than four people without the use of foot-pedal bins, but each member was assigned a specific role. Detailed instructions and rules were issued to staff, and throat swabs were taken from everyone who frequently entered the department. The dressing technique was devised for neurosurgical treatment, but was also used to treat air raid casualties. In 1945, after a 3 year trial of the technique, V. Logue and W. McKissock published a paper which reported “a strikingly low rate of cross-infection of wounds” had been maintained, which was attributed to the new dressing technique. See also MED01/01/3094 and MED01/01/3096-3119. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.
This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited
Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley
Neurology Hospital, Health And Welfare
Our website works best with the latest version of the browsers below, unfortunately your browser is not supported. Using an old browser means that some parts of our website might not work correctly.
