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Microbial flora on doctors' white coats.

D Wong¹, K Nye, P Hollis

¹Public Health Laboratory, East Birmingham Hospital.

BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)

|December 21, 1991

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

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Doctors' white coats can carry bacteria, posing a cross-infection risk, particularly in surgical settings. Increased usage, not coat age, correlates with higher contamination levels, emphasizing hygiene practices.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Hospital Infection Control
Clinical Hygiene

Background:

Healthcare professionals' attire, including white coats, can harbor microorganisms.
The potential for transmission of pathogens via white coats in hospitals requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify and identify microbial contamination on doctors' white coats.
To assess the risk of pathogenic microorganism transmission through white coats in a hospital environment.

Main Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted.
Bacterial contamination of white coats from 100 doctors at a general hospital was analyzed.

Main Results:

Cuffs and pockets showed the highest bacterial contamination.

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Contamination levels increased with individual doctor usage, not coat age.

Staphylococcus aureus was found on 25% of coats, more prevalent in surgical specialties.

Conclusions:

White coats represent a potential source of cross-infection, especially in surgical wards.
Frequent hand hygiene is crucial; plastic aprons may be beneficial for wound examinations.
Weekly laundering is microbiologically adequate; white coats are acceptable in non-clinical areas.