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- Title
The effect of low-temperature laundering and detergents on the survival of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on textiles used in healthcare uniforms.
- Authors
Riley, K.; Williams, J.; Owen, L.; Shen, J.; Davies, A.; Laird, K.
- Abstract
Aims To determine the survival of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on cotton and polyester and the effectiveness of low-temperature laundering and detergents on the removal of micro-organism from healthcare laundry. Methods and Results Survival of E. coli and S. aureus on polyester or cotton was assessed over 3 weeks and the efficacy of a domestic wash (40 and 60°C) and a range of detergents was also determined. Both bacteria were able to survive on cotton (5 log(10)) and polyester (0·28 log(10)) for up to 3 weeks. Laundering at 40°C resulted in a 3·5 log(10) removal of the initial 7·7 log(10) inoculum and some cross-contamination to sterile fabrics (3 log(10)). Increasing the temperature to 60°C resulted in the complete removal of the initial inoculum. Conclusions This study shows that most of the micro-organisms are removed at 40°C, however, those cells still remaining may have the potential for further contamination to the clinical environment and patients. Significance and Impact of the Study National Health Service ( NHS) nurses are required to domestically launder their uniforms at 60°C to ensure safe removal of micro-organisms, 33% of NHS staff questioned said they launder their uniforms at 40°C, which could potentially result in transmission of hospital-acquired infections.
- Subjects
ESCHERICHIA coli physiology; STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus; PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of detergents; TEXTILES; NOSOCOMIAL infections; PHYSIOLOGY
- Publication
Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2017, Vol 123, Issue 1, p280
- ISSN
1364-5072
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/jam.13485