evidence that reveals home-laundered surgical scrubs ( HLSS ) are inferior to FLSS in SSI prevention , and unchanged SSI rates at hospitals that have initiated home-laundering programs suggest that home laundering may provide an acceptable choice for decontaminating scrubs .”
A stronger stance against home laundering of surgical attire was taken by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses ( AORN ) in the 2004 revision of the organization ’ s Recommended Practices for Surgical Attire . Braswell and Spruce ( 2012 ) refer to this RP as “ the least popular recommendation ,” and explain , “ Based on the number of questions and comments that AORN received from constituents when the recommendation was first introduced at the 2010 AORN Congress in Denver , and when the RP document was in the public comment phase during the summer of 2010 , the RP document was revised and then submitted for a second public comment phase . When the RP document was featured at the 2011 AORN Congress in Philadelphia , there continued to be questions surrounding the recommendation that surgical attire not be home laundered .”
Questions continue to this day , despite the RP reflecting the evolution of the evidence-based research since then . As Braswell and Spruce ( 2012 ) note , “… AORN maintains the statement ‘ Home laundering of surgical attire is not recommended .’ However , the revised RP document does not provide perioperative nurses with suggestions for home laundering of soiled surgical attire . The RP document now states , ‘ Home laundering may not meet the specified measures necessary to achieve a reduction in
antimicrobial levels in soiled surgical attire ,’ and details those measures in more depth .”
In providing a rationale for this RP , Braswell and Spruce ( 2012 ) note , “ Wearing surgical attire and appropriate personal protective equipment in the semi-restricted and restricted areas of healthcare facilities promotes personnel safety and helps ensure cleanliness in the perioperative environment . It is understood that the human body and the various surfaces in the perioperative setting are sources of microbial contamination and microbe transmission . Clean surgical attire helps to minimize the introduction of microorganisms and lint from healthcare personnel to clean items and the environment . Although there is no direct link between nonsterile surgical attire and the impact on surgical site infections , it seems prudent to minimize a patient ’ s exposure to a surgical team member ’ s skin , mucous membranes , or hair . Using a healthcare-accredited laundry facility is preferred because accredited facilities follow industry standards . The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council provides voluntary accreditation to those laundry facilities that process healthcare textiles and incorporate Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) guidelines , including establishing quality control monitoring and using processes based on industry standards ; regularly testing water quality ; monitoring wash loads and recording data ; and routinely monitoring laundry processes , such as correct measurement of chemicals , correct water temperatures , mechanical action , and the duration of the washing cycle .”
Sue Barnes , RN , CIC , FAPIC ,
is an independent clinical consultant , boardcertified in infection prevention and control ( CIC ), a fellow of APIC ( FAPIC ) and co-founder of the National Corporate IP Director Network . She currently provides marketing and clinical consultation to select industry partners who seek to support infection prevention with innovative products .
Learn more about her services at : www . zeroinfections . org
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