Bacteria love your scrubs

A recent study found unsurprising results regarding the contamination of nursing uniforms and scrubs. Over 50% of nursing uniforms were found to harbor at least one pathogen. Pockets were especially contaminated. The bottom line? Scrubs and uniforms do harbor bacteria, and while no studies yet prove that contaminated uniforms spread infection amongst patients, researchers caution that nurses and their families might be at risk.

What can a nurse do to ensure that they are protecting themselves, patients, and their family? Here are a few tips from an article on NurseZone:

• Wash your hands before and after touching your scrubs.
• Always launder your scrubs between wearing – and make sure to use hot water and a hot dryer to kill off bacteria.
• Short sleeves might help prevent pathogen transmission.
• Wear protective garb such as aprons and gloves for any task that might involve contact with bodily fluids and/or splashing.
• Change out of your scrubs as soon as possible after your shift—and if possible, when you’re on lunch. Otherwise, you could carry pathogens to the general public or your family.

How diligent are you about washing your scrubs? Are these suggestions reasonable? Do you have any suggestions? Let us know in the comments or on the Stanbridge College Facebook page.

For more suggestions, read the full article here.

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