Throwing lots of washes at home sounds normal and harmless.
but Medical professionals New research shows that people who wash their uniforms at work from home may be spreading superbugs without their knowledge.
Tested by Professor Katie Laird of Demontfor University Leicester, a British public university Home washing machine The study found that the machine was unable to remove potentially harmful materials even after performing a hot water setting equivalent to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
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“Our research highlights that domestic laundry in healthcare textiles may not consistently eliminate harmful bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” Laird told Fox News Digital.
The team tested six different models of washing machines to see how well they cleaned fabrics contaminated with bacteria that could cause a variety of health conditions.
New research shows that medical professionals who wash uniforms at work from home may be spreading superbugs without their knowledge. (istock)
Half of the machines did not sanitize clothes during the rapid cycle, but a third of them did not clean well during the standard cycle.
Laird, a Professor of Microbiology The director of the Pharmacy Faculty and University Infectious Disease Research Group said the findings “emphasize the potential risks associated with medical uniforms in home laundry, particularly regarding the spread of antibacterial resistance (AMR) within the community and hospital settings.”
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Furthermore, this could mean that the washing machine at home is a hub Antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
According to Laird, domestic detergents could even produce strains of potentially antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Even if healthcare workers followed all cleaning guidelines, half of the research machines had not reached the correct temperature, the study found.
Healthcare professionals and their agencies should consider reassessment policies that allow workers to wash their work clothes from home, said a microbiology professor who oversees the new research. (istock)
“What this means is that even if healthcare workers follow all guidelines to take and wash their uniforms, they will not reach the level of disinfection required to remove all pathogenic bacteria,” the professor said.
Potential limitations and fixes
Because this study was conducted with non-healthcare personnel, the bacteria in the clothing may differ from those in people working in healthcare settings.
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However, potentially the latter has a higher level of “pathogenicity and Antibiotic resistance The tension in the home washing machine for healthcare workers,” the professor said.
Laird recommended that health professionals and their agencies reevaluate policies that allow workers to wash their workplaces from home.
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“Performing standardized in-house laundry within healthcare facilities or using external industrial laundry will enhance infection control measures,” she said.
Half of the machines did not sanitize the clothes during the rapid cycle, but a third could not be cleaned sufficiently during the standard cycle. (istock)
The research team recommended that you use disinfectant in your washing machine at least once a month, as you do not need a home machine.
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They also recommended performing empty machine washes to disinfect at a temperature of about 194 degrees Fahrenheit.
“When washing at home, it is important to strictly adhere to guidelines such as using appropriate temperatures and detergents to minimize risk,” Laird told Fox News Digital.
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The team also said effective laundry practices are a key factor, but they should be part of a multifaceted approach.
They should be included[e] Careful antibiotic use, robust Infection control measurementand public education on hygiene practices and antibiotic resistance,” she said.
