Dr Death told nurses he was germ-free

Former Bundaberg Base Hospital head of surgery Dr Jayant Patel told nursing staff that doctors' hands didn't have germs, an inquiry has been told.

Nurses at the southeast Queensland hospital were appalled he often did not wash his hands between examining surgery patients.

But when challenged, he replied: "Doctors' hands don't have germs", infection control nurse Gail Aylmer told the commission of inquiry into the employment of Patel.

Indian-trained Dr Patel fled overseas on April 1.

He has since been linked to the deaths of at least 87 people.