How Do Lab Coats Cause Infection?

When thinking about a doctor or laboratory personnel, most people think of a person wearing a lab coat.  The coat distinguishes the medical doctor or laboratory technologists from other hospital and clinic staff.  Unfortunately, the lab coats worn by these personnel can be covered with infectious disease causing viruses and bacteria.

• Most lab coats worn by doctors are laundered by the doctor instead of the hospital staff.  The doctor wears the coat to distinguish themselves from other hospital staff, and to protect themselves from dangerous bacteria and viruses.  Unfortunately when the doctor has the responsibility of washing his or her own coat, the national average is that the coats are only washed every two weeks.


• Bacteria like Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and Methycillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are known to cause dangerous secondary infections, especially in immune compromised individuals, such as the elderly, ill, or newborn infants.  This bacteria colonizes on the coat and every time the doctor sits, brushes against a wall, or the sleeve brushes against the patient, there is a potential threat of the bacteria colonizing and growing on the new surface.


• The issue is that medical personnel are aloud to wear the same lab coats day after day.  Because the coats and scrubs are laundered at home by healthcare personnel, there is a danger of infection on the material even after washing. 


• Many hospitals across the country are moving away from home laundered lab coats and scrubs in favor of laundering on site.  Many hospitals already passed rules forbidding lab coats and scrubs from being worn outside of hospital property.  Medical laboratories across the nation already launder the lab coats onsite.