Back to Basics 2.0: Surgical Attire

Spruce, Lisa

doi:10.1002/aorn.12978

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…These regulations include that the hospital should inform the workers handling the soiled scrubs of potential risks, and the water used for the laundry should be disposed of accurately according to prescribed requirements. Another option is that the scrubs should be laundered by an accredited facility (Spruce 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Optimal home and hospital laundering of reusable surgical scrubs: Systematic literature review

Horn-Lodewyk¹,

Wainwright²,

Lessing³

et al. 2023

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: Theatre personnel can spread healthcare-associated infections through contaminated surgical scrubs. Decontamination of surgical scrubs through optimal methods is important to minimise transmission of microorganisms from theatre personnel’s clothing to different areas in the hospital and their homes.Aim: This study aimed to review the literature on the optimal home and hospital laundering methods for the decontamination of reusable surgical scrubs worn by theatre personnel.Method: A systematic literature review of previous studies on laundering reusable surgical scrubs was performed. A review question was formulated using the patient, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) framework. A literature search was performed using ScienceDirect, Web of Science, ProQuest, EBSCOhost and Google Scholar.Results: A direct link could be established between the cycle length and water temperature. The higher the water temperature, the shorter the washing cycle required. After a load has been washed in low or medium water temperatures, tumble drying and ironing should follow. Despite the water temperature, a disinfectant must be added to the load.Conclusion: Health professionals and hospital management should be aware of optimal laundering guidelines for hospital and home laundering as part of infection control. Water temperature, time, mechanical action, type of disinfectant and heat are factors influencing the successful removal of bacteria and other pathogens and represent the baseline of this article.Contribution: Home-laundering of reusable surgical scrubs should follow strict guidelines. When these specific guidelines are applied, the effects of home-laundered scrubs will not negatively impact either the theatre or the home environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Without ideal knowledge about laundering methods, other uncontrollable home laundering factors, such as water temperature, agitation and the correct concentration of disinfectants to kill all bacteria and pathogens, need to be taken into consideration (Spruce 2020 ). Only washing machines should be used and not hand washing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%