Health Care Uniforms Harbor Harmful Pathogens
Health Care Uniforms Harbor Harmful Pathogens Potentially dangerous bacteria exist on the uniforms of more than 60% of health care workers, according to a new study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. The
Health Care Uniforms Harbor Harmful Pathogens
Potentially dangerous bacteria exist on the uniforms of more than 60% of health care workers, according to a new study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. The startling finding highlights the importance of establishing and following infection prevention and control protocols—specifically hand hygiene—in dental practice. Led by Yonit Wiener-Well, MD, from the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel, the study examined samples collected from the uniforms of 75 registered nurses (RNs) and 60 physicians. Swab samples were collected from three key areas on the uniforms: the abdominal area, sleeves’ ends, and pockets. Wiener-Well and his team discovered that 65% of the RN samples, and 60% of the physician samples contained pathogens. In all, researchers found 27 multi-drug-resistant pathogen cultures present; of this number, eight cultures contained methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Russell Olmsted, MPH, CIC, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, responded to the study by acknowledging that all clothing becomes contaminated with microorganisms. In order to inhibit the spread of potentially dangerous pathogens, Olmsted reminds health care professionals that, “The cornerstone of infection prevention remains the use of hand hygiene to prevent the movement of microbes from these surfaces to patients.”
Additional study is needed to determine if the bacteria found on health care uniforms can be transferred to and cause infection among patients.
