How do Hospitals, Doctor’s offices, and Medical Centers not become massive centers for plague and disease?

Question

I’ve never really understood how these places, which naturally bring in the sick and unwell by the thousands every single day, eliminate all or any airborne pathogens, viruses that spread via contact with surfaces, or by a patient coughing or sneezing. It’s not like they lock down the whole facility and sanitize it top to bottom every time a new patient comes in, so how come these places don’t become massive hubs for the spread of disease? How are waiting rooms not considered one of the most dangerous places for transmission in the world? What steps are these doctors and professionals in the field taking to ensure that these people who are coming in sick, aren’t making everyone else in the building sick as well?

In: 378

Answer 1

My dad’s oncologist used to have a saying: “If you want to get sick, go to a hospital”

He had a weird sense of humour, but I imagine most places like that have strict regulations for a reason.