Doctors and nurses wash their hands frequently to stop the spread of sickness and disease in hospitals and other health care facilities. However, a new research study has found that patients should also take precautions to decrease the spread of disease. At certain facilities in Detroit, a study found that almost one in four adults had a virus or bacteria on their hands after leaving the facility. The standard perspective is that most diseases are spread by doctors, but an increasing number of studies have found that patients play a role in transmitting diseases as well. The authors of the study suggest that hand hygiene policies be revised to include patients. Hospitals and other facilities should also post reminders for patients, informing them that they should be washing their hands. To read more about the results of this study,