Antibiotic-resistant bacteria survive on hospital gowns even after being cleaned with disinfectant

Research carried out by the University of Plymouth has shown that surgical gowns still carry superbugs even after being disinfected.

The study exposed hospital scrubs to three different strains of Clostridium difficile (C.diff), which can cause fever, nausea and diarrhoea. The gowns were cleaned for ten minutes with a disinfectant containing 1,000 parts per million of chlorine, as per NHS protocol.

After being tested following this procedure, it was found that not only had spores from all three strains remained on the gowns, but their numbers had remained the same as before they had been cleaned.

The study also found that the spores transferred to other surfaces within ten seconds of contact.

Dr Tina Joshi, lead researcher and lecturer in molecular microbiology, said “C difficile is a really nasty superbug and it’s so important hospitals stop it from spreading.

“This study shows that, even when we think an item has been suitably cleaned, it hasn’t been necessarily.

“One thousands parts per million of chlorine just isn’t enough as the bacteria survived and grew after disinfection.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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