New Study: Hospital Scrubs Pose Germ Risk
A study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control found that the scrubs worn by hospital workers and healthcare professionals can harbor a broad range of potentially dangerous pathogens, including germs that can lead to pneumonia, blood diseases and antibiotic-resistant infections.
When researchers sampled the sleeves, waists and pockets of 75 registered nurses and 60 doctors working in a busy hospital environment, they found a slew of bacteria on a majority of uniforms. In fact, 60 percent of the uniforms tested proved positive for pathogens, including the frequently deadly MRSA bacteria.
According to news reports, "half of the samples tested positive for one or more pathogens; potentially dangerous bacteria were isolated from at least one site on 63 percent of the uniforms. Of those, 11 percent of the bugs were resistant to multiple front-line antibiotics."
The study didn't verify a positive link between scrubs and actual patient infections, but many in the medical profession are concerned by the findings. Recommendations for addressing the issue include having hospitals provide their employees on-premises laundry service to ensure proper care and to prevent healthcare workers from performing their own - often inadequate - laundering.
For more information about the study and the industry's response, visit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44334682/ns/health-infectious_diseases/