From the 1860s to the 1940s American hospital staffs were obsessed with cleanliness.

This is true. During this time period, hospital staffs took extreme measures to maintain a sterile environment, including frequent hand-washing, disinfecting of surgical instruments, and the use of antiseptics during surgeries. This emphasis on cleanliness was sparked by pioneering work in germ theory and a growing understanding of how bacteria and viruses could spread infections.