Contamination of Hospital Scrubs

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Bacterial Contamination
• Interventions: Other: Antimicrobial impregnated scrubs; Other: Non-impregnated scrubs

• Registration Number: NCT01594580
• Lead Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2012-04
• Study First Submitted: 2012-05-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-05-08
• Study First Posted: 2012-05-09
• Primary Completion: 2012-12
• Study Completion: 2012-12
• Status Verified: 2023-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-07-20
• Last Update Posted: 2023-07-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 111

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Antimicrobial impregnated scrubs	Antimicrobial impregnated scrubs	Those randomized to this arm of the study will wear scrubs impregnated with an antimicrobial.
Non-impregnated scrubs	Non-impregnated scrubs	Those randomized to this arm of the study will wear scrubs not impregnated with an antimicrobial.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Bacterial contamination of scrubs	Outcome will be assessed at the end of the hospital shift ( approx 8 hours)	Contamination will be defined as: * A swab that is determined to be positive for any of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, or Gram-negative bacteria after a hospital shift.