Scrubs, especially sleeves and pockets, can help spread bacteria in hospitals, according to an article on the Becker's Infection Control and Clinical Quality website.
A study, presented at IDWeek 2016, involved 167 patients who received care from 40 nurses during three separate, 12-hour shifts.
Researchers took cultures twice a day from nurses' scrubs, patients and patients' rooms.
The spots most likely to be contaminated were the sleeves and pockets of the scrubs and the bed rails.
Medical Outpatient Buildings: 4 Trends Bringing Risk, Opportunity
Nemours Children's Health Opens the Betty and Jack Demetree Family Center for Otolaryngology
Building Senior Care Facilities for Harsh Temperatures
Laser Scanning: Reducing Risk in Construction Projects
MOBs Get Smarter and More Complex as Space Pressures Mount