Chapter 13, Problem 1CF

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The level of contamination of hospital scrubs that is common among healthcare workers.

Concept introduction:

Healthcare-associated infections are the type of infections that are acquired by patients while receiving their medical treatment. Modern healthcare system uses many devices and procedures for the recovery of the patient but many of these can be associated with infections.

Explanation of Solution

Hospital scrubs was also known as scrubs, are the sanitary clothing worn by nurses, surgeons, doctors, and other workers associated with health care. These are designed to be easy to launder, simple and cheap so that replaced easily when stained or damaged.

All these workers, whether they are nurses, doctors, technicians, or even custodial staff, have been exposed to microorganisms in the hospital and they may carry these over their clothing. Thus, contamination of hospital scrubs is very common among healthcare workers.

Conclusion

Contamination of hospital scrubs is very common among health care workers as they are constantly been exposed to microorganisms in the hospital environment.

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The microbes that are most commonly found on the clothing of healthcare workers.

Concept introduction:

Hospital scrubs was also known as scrubs, are the sanitary clothing worn by health care workers. These clothing are designed to be easy to launder, simple and cheap so that replaced easily when stained or damaged.

Explanation of Solution

Researchers in Israel collected uniforms of medical doctors and nurses and tested their sleeves ends, pockets, and abdominal area. The obtained samples were pressed over the prepared agar plates to analyze the microbial growth.

Their study along with the results of another study done by researchers in different areas revealed that 75 % of white lab coats of health care workers were contaminated with Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Moraxella and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The ties of doctors were also sampled and the result revealed 66 % contamination with MRSA and other pathogens.

Conclusion

The microbes that are most commonly found on the clothing of healthcare workers include Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Moraxella and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Whether laundering at home is sufficient to remove microbial contamination.

Concept introduction:

HAIs also was known as Healthcare-associated infections, are the type of infections that are acquired by patients while receiving their medical treatment. Thus, it has become a major safety concern for both patients and healthcare providers.

Explanation of Solution

Many hospitals allow their workers to wash their own uniforms as a measure of cost saving. Therefore, scrubs and white lab coats are often taken home to wash with personal clothing items.

Laundering at home is not sufficient to remove microbial contamination because generally, the water temperature of home laundry can reach only 130° F while the water temperature of hospital laundry can reach up to 160° F. Thus, laundering at home may not destroy all the pathogens.

Conclusion

Laundering at home is not sufficient to remove microbial contamination due to low water temperature which may not allow the destruction of all pathogens.