subject: The Advantages of Antibacterial Fabrics for Nursing Uniforms [print this page] Although health care professionals like nurses have taken increasingly stringent care to prevent the spread of germs, especially with the advent of particularly virulent bugs like MRSA, it's often a losing battle especially because clothing can harbor germs hand washing and other protective measures simply can't take care of. Even with the ability to don other protective clothing over scrubs, there's still the possibility that contamination can inadvertently be transferred to scrubs, and therefore, potentially, throughout the hospital or health care facility. More than that, these "superbugs" can actually breed on uniforms and other materials, thus potentially increasing their spread and making the hazards even worse. In turn, that increases the health-care risks for everyone, including patients, friends and family, and professionals, especially for particularly nasty "superbugs" that are difficult to control through normal means.
Not only does exposure to these bugs put patients and visitors at risk, but it puts healthcare professionals and other workers at risk, too. Because so many of these bugs are resistant to treatment, it's imperative that they're spread be minimized as much as possible, if not eliminated. This had proven problematic despite the best efforts to contain them, with stringent adherence to cleanliness. However, a solution may be on the horizon -- and it's right under the noses (and on the backs) of the health care professionals themselves.
Now, uniform scrubs, lab coats and nursing uniforms are being made of specialized antimicrobial materials. This prevents the accidental spread of germs, along with other protective measures. Because the surface of the material itself is antibacterial, there's no risk of germ "breeding," not to mention germ spreading.
All components of uniform scrubs and nursing scrubs can be made from this new antimicrobial material, including nursing uniforms' scrub tops, pants, and hats. Lab coats, too, are increasingly made of antimicrobial material.
The practicality of anti-microbial material
Of course, the use of antimicrobial materials in uniform scrubs is certainly welcome, but whether or not it remains useful long-term depends on how practical those uniform scrubs are. In other words, how cost effective are they, how easy are they to launder (while maintaining the uniform's antimicrobial characteristics), how comfortable are they, and how effectively do they retain their antimicrobial characteristics -- and for how long?
At least so far, the results appear promising. Those wearing antimicrobial uniform scrubs and nursing uniforms certainly found them comfortable, and they found laundering instructions to be clear and straightforward. Although it appears that initial laundering did not affect uniform scrubs' antimicrobial nature, experts also concede that antimicrobial properties will likely lessen as the uniforms are continually washed.
Nonetheless, this remains an effective and promising solution to the spread of particularly virulent and deadly microorganisms like E. coli, staphylococcus aureus, and lactobacillus planterum. As development of these types of nursing uniforms and other healthcare garments continue, the spread of dangerous pathogens can be further contained, with the garments' antimicrobial characteristics made even more effective.
The Advantages of Antibacterial Fabrics for Nursing Uniforms
By: Sally
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