To think that booking in at GP surgery is bad hygiene ?

[PartyFops]

Just been to GP surgery, to check in you have to enter your date of birth on a touch screen and confirm your details and appointment.

AIBU to think that this is crazy? I know there is always some hand-gel nearby but not everyone uses it. There must be allsorts of germs on sick peoples hands.

I always use my knuckles and then loads of gel

Or just go to the loos and wash your hands?

Get a grip op. Why should there be any less or more germs at the surgery than a cash machine, self service pay at supermarket, paying for meals out.

Er, because it is a place full of sick people?

I have had the same thought, OP, and in fact my surgery has stopped using it now (not sure why).

My gp surgery has one of those screens and I bloody hate it! Half the time it says you're booked in but doesn't actually check you on so gp doesn't know youre there. And when you tell reception staff they blame you! And it always tells you there are 4 patients waiting, even when you're the only person there.

Self scan check outs don't bother me in the slightest, these things however give me the rage.

Just wear one of these next time you go to the doctors germ suit

Problem solved.

You'll have picked up far more germs pushing the door open then you get with a fingertip on the screen.

My surgery has an automatic door. ;)

I love touch screen check in.

Quick, easy and no snorking, sneezing queue to contend with.

Public toilet door handles OTOH

A friend of mine is a GP and has just got rid of the self check in machine, partly for this reason. The main reason was that it didn't work very well granted, but nobody ever used the gel provided and the receptionists got it in the neck when it crashed.
YANBU

I've just been to the GP where they have one of these too. I just use the hand gel after. It's no different to touching the door handles, chairs, magazines etc!

yabu - no doubt you open doors in the surgery which will all have more germs on them than the screen.

Not everyone is necessarily sick with things that are spread by touch. And yes, you'll pick up germs off the door handle or a card reader in a shop anyway.

I see your point but I don't think it is likely to be much of a risk to anyone's health. Any germs probably won't survive for long on a computer screen, it's not a particularly favourable environment.

I've used these screens so many times over the past year or so, and as far as I can tell never picked up any bugs :)

There are germs everywhere. Just wash your hands before you eat, try to avoid touching your face etc.

I worry far more about anti microbial resistance than about germs in general. Trying to eliminate all germs everywhere seems like it'll do us more harm in the long run.

The doctors and nurses in the surgery actually have to touch the germy patients...and survive!

I hate the touch screens too, mainly because they don't work properly, rather than because they're unhygienic. They usually come with hand gel near by

My surgery has one of those but i never use it, i just tell the receptionist i've arrived. I was actually sitting there thinking the same last week after watching many people touch it.

I agree and I think docs should have more information about washing hands plastered up all round their surgeries as well as other info like

They need clear posters, sneeze into something....dont spread germs, wash your hands, the no 1 defence against passing on germs! and how to wash your hands!

They also need fresh air and windows open,sat in stuffy warm and moist docs waiting room along with all sorts of spreadable conditions...

THEY SHOULD also have nice big signs and practise :if you or your child has contagious condition like chick pox please dont come in, tell us for us to arrange alternaitve seating and checking in!

I love the booking in machine at ours. There are 10 doctors on at any one time the queues are horrendous. Takes seconds on the machine.

At the end of the touch screen service it should say 'Thank you, now can you please use the anti bac gel provided' or before maybe..

YABU. Never even occurred to me.

Don't put your fingers straight in your mouth and you'll be fine.

YY I agree. I'd like to operate the touchscreen with my elbow, personally.
Our surgery doesn't have any antibac gel near the screen at all.

OP, do you use a supermarket trolley without a thought (or use antibac gel straight after). I have dragged myself to Tesco to buy nappies, despite having gastro-enteritis. I didn't bother the GP though so no germs on any screen

YABU these screens are all self cleaning as are the supermarket self checkout.

Just keep your fingers out of your mouth and eyes and wash your hands when you get home. It's no worse than opening the doors or sitting on the seats.