Your Washing Machine May Not Kill Harmful Bacteria
Your Washing Machine May Not Kill Harmful Bacteria The washing machine in your home may not use water of sufficient temperature to eradicate dangerous bacteria—including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram negative Acinetobacter—on health care uniforms, according to a
Your Washing Machine May Not Kill Harmful Bacteria
The washing machine in your home may not use water of sufficient temperature to eradicate dangerous bacteria—including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative Acinetobacter—on health care uniforms, according to a study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology’s November issue.
As highlighted in September’s Hygiene Connection e-newsletter, 60% of health care workers acquire potentially dangerous bacteria on their uniforms each day. As such, researchers from University College in London undertook the study after changes to government services eliminated in-house laundry services at many hospitals throughout the United Kingdom.
Researchers experimented with nurses’ uniforms worn during a typical workday, and found that washing machine water temperatures of 140° Fahrenheit and above were effective at killing MRSA and Acinetobacter. When water temperature dropped to 104° Fahrenheit, however, Acinetobacter was still detected—all the more concerning because energy-saving washers often operate at this temperature. Interestingly, a hot iron was able to rid the clothing of the Gram-negative bacteria.
Further studies are planned but, in the interim, health care professionals are advised to wear disposable outer garments to eliminate the need for high-temperature, at-home uniform sanitization.
