ironed . Presence of bacterial bioburden on the fabric squares after domestic and industrial laundering was investigated . None of the naturally contaminated fabric squares resulted completely decontaminated after any of the domestic washes . At 24 , 48 and 72 hours of incubation , bacterial growth was observed in all the laundered fabric squares . Besides environmental microorganisms , potentially pathogenic bacteria ( Acinetobacter lwoffii , Micrococcus luteus , coagulase-negative staphylococci ) were isolated . On the artificially contaminated fabric squares , the bioburden was reduced after the domestic laundries ; nevertheless , both Gram-negative and -positive pathogenic bacteria were not completely removed . In addition , a contamination of the fabric squares by environmental Gram-negative bacteria was observed . In both the naturally and artificially contaminated fabric squares , no bacterial growth at all the time-points analyzed was observed after industrial laundering , which provided to be more effective in bacterial decontamination than domestic washes . As the researchers noted , “ For those areas requiring the highest level of decontamination , the use of specialized industrial laundry services should be preferred .”
As Mitchell , et al . ( 2015 ) summarize , “ The literature illustrates that healthcare textiles , including uniforms or apparel , are a vector for transmission of microorganisms that cause infections and illnesses in healthcare workers , patients and the community . While there is a growing platform of published studies on the topic , the impact is underestimated because of a lack of point source investigations of textiles during outbreaks and cases of infection or illness . Many published papers either begin or end with a statement about the lack of published data in the literature on technical textiles or innovations in apparel . Therefore , healthcare facilities , hospitals , outpatient clinics and academic institutions should use and study newly available controls , and report findings and outcomes in credible published outlets .”
The Future of Laundering Healthcare Personnel Attire
Absent a national laundering standard , Vera , et al . ( 2016 ) observe , “ Many hospitals mandate facility laundering of uniforms . Others allow staff to wash uniforms at home , with no new SSI outbreaks cited . During the current cost-reduction climate of today ’ s healthcare system , HLSS offers a financial solution for facilities . If HLSS programs are instituted , proper decontamination should be enforced and recommendations including proper handling of garments , wash temperatures , drying methods , and storage of HLSS should be provided . Ultimately , the decision to mandate specific surgical scrub laundering methods or guidelines will depend on institutional and provider preference .”
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