Bacterial contamination on uniforms of health care workers in a general hospital

Abstract:

ObjectiveTo realize the bacterial contamination on uniforms of health care workers(HCWs)  in a general hospital,  and  put forward the corresponding management measures.   MethodsIn MayOctober 2012, a total of 360 specimens of 120 uniforms of HCWs in departments of respiratory internal medicine, general surgery, gynecology, and pediatrics were taken on the first, third and seventh day of wearing, bacterial counts on uniforms were monitored, compared and analyzed.  ResultsBacterial counts of uniforms at different wearing time were statistically different. The longer time of uniforms were worn, the more bacteria could be detected. Bacterial contamination of nurses’ uniforms was more serious than doctors （［0.65±3.38］CFU/cm2  vs ［7.68±2.99］ CFU/cm2）, contamination of uniforms of HCWs in surgical departments was more serious than nonsurgical departments（［10.43±4.12 ］ CFU/cm2  vs ［8.60±3.01］ CFU/cm2) (U=5.06, 2.78，respectively, both P＜0.01）, over standard rate of different  sites of  HCWs’  uniforms were significantly different（χ2=33.12, P＜0.01）); over standard rates of bacteria on the cuffs, abdomen and chest sites was 73.33%, 58.33% and 36.67% respectively. ConclusionThe management of cleaning system of HCWs’ uniforms needs to be strengthened, the change cycle of uniforms is suggested twice a week, and the frequency needs to be increased in high contamination departments.