Bacterial contamination of white coats, surgical scrubs

Editor's Note

Provider attire is a potential source of pathogenic bacterial transmission in healthcare settings, this review study finds.

A total of 22 articles were included in this analysis, which found that provider attire was commonly colonized by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), with white coats laundered less frequently than scrubs.

The analysis also found considerable differences among fabrics used and laundering practices.

Suggestions outlined in this review may serve as a guideline to reduce the spread of bacterial pathogens, including MDROs, the authors say.