title: Nurses' uniforms: How many bacteria do they carry after one shift?
abstract: This pilot study investigated the pathogens that nurses are potentially bringing into the public and their home when they wear work uniforms outside of the work environment. To achieve this, sterilized uniforms were distributed to 10 nurses at a local hospital in Washington State at the beginning of their shift. Worn uniforms were collected at the end of the shifts and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Four tests were conducted: 1) a heterotrophic growth plate count, 2) methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) growth, 3) vancomycin-resistantEnterococci(VRE), and 4) identification of the heterotrophic plate counts. Each participant completed a questionnaire and a survey. The results showed that the average bacteria colony growth per square inch was 1,246 and 5,795 for day and night shift, respectively. After 48 h, MRSA positives were present on 4 of the day shift and 3 of the night shift uniforms. Additional bacteria identified include:Bacillussp., Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Micrococcus roseus. The significant presence of bacteria on the uniforms 48 h after the shift ended necessitates further study, discussions and policy consideration regarding wearing health care uniforms outside of the work environment.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 400 North Ingalls, Room 3356, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Marie-Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sanon
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 400 North Ingalls, Room 3356, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watkins
keywords: Scrubs; healthcare providers; infections; nurses; pathogens; uniforms