Any employee that deals with blood or body fluids has access to personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes fluid-resistant gowns, gloves, and face protection such as masks and goggles or face shields and are required per the OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Standard. This requires that appropriate PPE be worn when there is potential for exposure to blood or body fluids. If there is unanticipated exposure to blood or body fluids, there is a provision in our exposure control plan that states : " If the employee's personal clothing or uniform becomes contaminated during the course of work, the employee may change into hospital-provided scrubs. They may choose to launder their uniform themselves or take to the hospital laundry.
Related to the use of hospital-provided scrubs, we have done an extensive literature review on this issue as well as current practices. This is a frequent issue that is of concern to staff. It should be noted that other than PPE, there is no scientific data supporting the need for or regulations requiring that healthcare employers provide such uniforms for infection prevention reasons. Similarly, there is no study suggesting that home laundering (versus institutional type laundering) poses any increased risk of infection transmission.
Literature does support providing and laundering scrub apparel for staff working in areas where invasive procedures are performed in a strict environment which is considered as the Operating Room and Obstetrics as well as in areas where staff prepares and cleans equipment. Current national guidance for the prevention of health care-acquired infections (HAI) recommend that standard principles for infection control are key to protecting patients and staff from cross-contamination with pathogenic microorganisms. In order to provide a safe environment for staff and patients, evidence supports proper use of personal protective equipment and compliance with hand hygiene.
Any employee that deals with blood or body fluids has access to personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes fluid-resistant gowns, gloves, and face protection such as masks and goggles or face shields and are required per the OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Standard. This requires that appropriate PPE be worn when there is potential for exposure to blood or body fluids. If there is unanticipated exposure to blood or body fluids, there is a provision in our exposure control plan that states : " If the employee's personal clothing or uniform becomes contaminated during the course of work, the employee may change into hospital-provided scrubs. They may choose to launder their uniform themselves or take to the hospital laundry.
Related to the use of hospital-provided scrubs, we have done an extensive literature review on this issue as well as current practices. This is a frequent issue that is of concern to staff. It should be noted that other than PPE, there is no scientific data supporting the need for or regulations requiring that healthcare employers provide such uniforms for infection prevention reasons. Similarly, there is no study suggesting that home laundering (versus institutional type laundering) poses any increased risk of infection transmission.
Literature does support providing and laundering scrub apparel for staff working in areas where invasive procedures are performed in a strict environment which is considered as the Operating Room and Obstetrics as well as in areas where staff prepares and cleans equipment. Current national guidance for the prevention of health care-acquired infections (HAI) recommend that standard principles for infection control are key to protecting patients and staff from cross-contamination with pathogenic microorganisms. In order to provide a safe environment for staff and patients, evidence supports proper use of personal protective equipment and compliance with hand hygiene.
Wendy Erickson RN
Eau Claire WI