According to a recent study by the Association for Professionals inInfection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), “More than 60% of hospital nursesand doctors uniforms tested positive for dangerous bacteria.”
The Testing Protocol
Swab samples were taken from the sleeve ends of long sleeve clothingarticles, side pockets of short sleeve clothing and the abdominal regions of across-section of registered nurses (RN) and physicians (MD). Exactly half ofthe cultures taken were found positive for pathogens, including acinetobacteria(37%), methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (13%) andenterobacteria (8%). MRSA was found on 6% of physician-sampled clothes and 14%of nurse-sampled clothes.
There was no major differences between bacteria findings on doctor versusnurse uniforms, nor were there any substantial differences between medicalversus surgical departments, according to the American Journal of InfectionControl. Clothes that were changed daily harbored fewer pathogens than thosechanged every two days. Keep in mind that physicians’ white lab coats are notroutinely changed on a daily basis.
Passing Bacteria on to Patients
According to the 2011 APIC president, Russell Olmsted, “Any clothing that isworn by humans will become contaminated with microorganisms.” While patientsare clearly in close contact with such bacteria, the study does not state thatthere is a true risk of disease transmission. Immunosuppressed patients are,however, at the greatest risk for disease transmission.
What Can We Do?
Frequent hand washing remains the best defense against germ transmission,but regular, daily uniform laundering will also help reduce diseasetransmission. Shedding the traditional white coats, wearing short sleeves anddonning plastic aprons are a few additional suggestions made by the APIC tocontrol bacteria on uniforms.
Note that a 2011 study conducted by the Journal of Hospital Medicine foundno significant difference in bacteria counts based on sleeve length.
Male physicians wearing ties are targeted as germ carriers. There have beenefforts to end tie wearing as ties collect germs, especially when leaning overa patient’s bed.
The Bottom Line
Wearing the same uniform or lab coat from patient to patient can harborpotentially dangerous bacteria exposure to patients. The most significant andattainable preventative measure for protecting patients remains effective handwashing when traveling from room-to-room, but daily clothing, uniform and/orlab coat changes can also significantly reduce bacteria exposure topatients.