Study examines bacterial contamination of nurses’ white coats

Editor's Note

Fresh white coats should be used by nurses for every shift to minimize the risk of infection, and coats should be made of fabric types that minimize microbial contamination, finds this study.

The microbial load of nurses’ white coats made of a polyester cotton blend or polyester fabric was examined after first and second work shifts.

After the second shift, bacterial colonies on the polyester and blend fabrics increased by 98% and 70%, respectively. Contamination on the blend fabric was significantly higher (60%) than on the polyester fabric (36%).

Among the isolates found on the polyester coats after the second shift were Escherichia coli (47.8%) and staphylococci (19.1%).