Nurses' uniforms: How many bacteria do they carry after one shift?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare-associated infections
• Microbiology
• Infection control

Background:

• Healthcare uniforms can potentially transport pathogens from clinical settings.
• The practice of wearing uniforms outside the work environment raises concerns about community and home contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and types of bacteria on nursing uniforms worn outside the hospital.
• To assess the potential for pathogen transmission via work uniforms.

Main Methods:

• Sterilized uniforms were worn by 10 nurses during their shifts in Washington State.
• Collected uniforms underwent laboratory analysis for heterotrophic bacteria, MRSA, and VRE.
• Bacterial identification and colony counts per square inch were performed.

Main Results:

• Average bacterial colony counts were 1,246 (day shift) and 5,795 (night shift) per square inch.
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected on 4 day and 3 night shift uniforms.
• Other identified bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., and Micrococcus luteus.

Conclusions:

• Nursing uniforms harbor significant bacterial loads, including potential pathogens, after a single shift.
• The findings suggest a need for policy review regarding wearing healthcare uniforms outside the workplace.
• Further studies are warranted to understand the full implications of uniform contamination.