Regular Article
Bacterial flora on the white coats of medical students
W. Loh, V. V. Ng and J. Holton
Department of Bacteriology, Royal Free & University College London Medical School, Windeyer Bld, Cleveland St, London, UK
Received 28 July 1999; accepted 30 November 1999. ; Available online 25 March 2002.
Abstract
This study has demonstrated that the white coats of medical students are more likely to be bacteriologically contaminated at points of frequent contact, such as the sleeve and pocket. The organisms identified were principally skin commensals including Staphylococcus aureus. The cleanliness of the coat as perceived by the student was correlated with bacteriological contamination, yet despite this, a significant proportion of students only laundered their coats occassionally. This study supports the view that the students' white coat is a potential source of cross infection on the ward and its design should be modified in order to facilitate hand washing. Hospitals training medical students should consider taking on the burden of providing freshly laundered white coats for the students.
Author Keywords: White coats; medical students; bacterial flora.
References
1. P Littlechild, A Macmillan, MM White and D Steedman, Contamination of skin and clothing of accident and emergency personnel. BMJ 305 (1992), pp. 156–157. Abstract-EMBASE | Abstract-MEDLINE
2. A Hambraeus and U Ransjo, Attempts to control clothes-borne infection in a burn unit. 1. Experimental investigations of some clothes for barrier nursing. J Hyg Lond 79 (1977), pp. 193–202. Abstract-MEDLINE | Abstract-EMBASE
3. JR Babb, JG Davies and GA Ayliffe, Contamination of protective clothing and nurses uniforms in an isolation ward. J Hosp Infect 4 (1983), pp. 149–157. Abstract-MEDLINE | Abstract-EMBASE
4. E Grys and M Pawlaczyk, Does a physician's apron protect against nosocomial infection?. Ginekol Pol 67 (1996), pp. 309–312. Abstract-MEDLINE
5. D Wong, K Nye and P Hollis, Microbial flora on doctors white coats. BMJ 303 (1991), pp. 1602–1604. Abstract-EMBASE | Abstract-MEDLINE
6. U Ransjo, Attempts to control clothes-borne infection in a burn unit: 3. An open-roofed plastic isolator or plastic aprons to prevent contact transfer of bacteria. J Hyg Lond 82 (1979), pp. 385–395. Abstract-EMBASE | Abstract-MEDLINE
7. U Ransjo and A Hambraeus, An instrument for measuring bacterial penetration through fabrics used forbarrier clothing. J Hyg Lond 82 (1979), pp. 361–368. Abstract-EMBASE | Abstract-MEDLINE
