The germ theory of infection led to improved patient outcomes when doctors washed their hands between surgeries.

“let's imagine in the 1870s and there's a new idea proposed that it's actually microscopic objects called bacteria that are the source of infection that's a wild idea like things beyond the resolution of the eye are the source of infection now even if you're early to say I think this is actually a good idea I think it's actually a legitimate idea I think these bacteria are real I think they do cause infection and it does make sense that you know if a doctor is washing their hands in between uh surgeries then increases patient outcomes of survival”