Differential laundering practices of white coats and scrubs among health care professionals

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 41; no. 6; pp. 565 - 567
• Main Authors: Munoz-Price, L. Silvia, MD, Arheart, Kristopher L., EdD, Lubarsky, David A., MD, MBA, Birnbach, David J., MD, MPH
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01-06-2013; Elsevier; Mosby-Year Book, Inc
• Subjects: Bacteria; Biological and medical sciences; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Cross Infection - transmission; Disease Transmission, Infectious - prevention & control; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; General aspects; Health Personnel; Humans; Infection Control; Infectious Disease; Infectious diseases; Laundering - methods; Laundering - statistics & numerical data; Laundries; Medical personnel; Medical sciences; Nosocomial infections; Protective Clothing - microbiology; Uniforms; Washing frequency; Uniforms; Washing frequency; Prevention; Infection; Check; Health care staff; Washing
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2012.06.012

The role played by health care worker's uniforms on the horizontal transmission of organisms within the hospital is still controversial. To determine the differential laundering practices in regards to white coats and scrubs, we surveyed physicians present at the 3 weekly academic conferences with largest attendance at our hospital (medicine, pediatrics, and anesthesiology). Out of 160 providers, white coats were washed every 12.4 ± 1.1 days and scrubs every 1.7 ± 0.1 days (mean ± standard error; P < .001). Faculty physicians washed their scrubs more frequently than house staff (1.0 vs 1.9 days, respectively, P  = .018), and no differences were observed among specialties.