Contamination of Hospital Scrubs

A Novel Agent to Decrease Contamination of Hospital Scrubs

This study will test if nurses wearing scrubs treated with an antimicrobial agent while performing patient care will:

- Decrease the amount of bacterial contamination on scrubs at the end of a typical hospital shift during routine use after home laundering

This study will gather information by obtaining swabs from scrubs treated with an antimicrobial and from non-treated scrubs.

The outcome of interest is the contamination of scrubs with Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species or Gram-negative bacteria as determined by surface swabs of healthcare worker scrubs after a full 8-hour shift. The outcomes will be analyzed both individually and collectively.

Contamination will be defined as:

- A swab that is determined to be positive for any Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, or Gram-negative bacteria after a hospital shift.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Nursing staff engaging in direct patient care
• Working in select/participating intensive care and intermediate care units
• Working at least 8 day shifts in one month (study period)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant
• Unable to provide consent
• Unable to follow study schedule