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Bacterial contamination in a modern operating suite. 4. Bacterial contamination of clothes worn in the suite

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

A. Hambraeus ,
S. Bengtsson  and
G. Laurell
A. Hambraeus
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Bacteriology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
S. Bengtsson
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Bacteriology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
G. Laurell
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Bacteriology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
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Summary

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Clean clothes in the staff dressing rooms were heavily contaminated with bacteria, mainly Bacillus sp., but Staphylococcus aureus were found on 14% and Clostridium sp. on 10% of the garments examined. A comparison of the occurrence of Staph. aureus on shirts worn by staff in wards and operating departments showed ward shirts to be contaminated more heavily and with more strains. Examination of sterile gowns worn by surgeons showed that 70% were contaminated with Staph. aureus after operation. Of the strains isolated 31% were identical with those carried by the surgeon or by the patient operated on, but for the remainder no source could be found.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 80 , Issue 2 , April 1978 , pp. 175 - 181
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

References

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