Repeated wearing of clothes increases bacteria for healthcare workers

Level jumps fourfold when clothes are worn more than one shift


A recent study found that the length of time healthcare professionals wear their work attire affects the amount of bacteria in the clothes, according to an article on the Becker's Clinical Leadership and Infection Control website.

Researchers examined the healthcare attire of physicians and nurses after their shifts were over. 

They also gathered information about the time of duty, alcohol-based hand rub use and workplace role from each ward in the facility.

The study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, found that bacterial load on attire was four times higher when the healthcare professionals wore the same attire for more than one shift.

Read the article.



May 1, 2019


Topic Area: Infection Control


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