Dear Okpi,

The following publications cover the answer to your question:

1-Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases

Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 507640, 5 pages

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/507640

Research Article

Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia

J. C. Cataño,1 L. M. Echeverri,2 and C. Szela3

Abstract

Objective. This study evaluates the bacterial contamination rate of items in the hospital setting that are in frequent contact with patients and/or physicians. By determining the bacterial species and the associated antibiotic resistance that patients are exposed to. Methods. Hospital-based cross-sectional surveillance study of potential bacterial reservoirs. Cultures from 30 computer keyboards, 32 curtains, 40 cell phones, 35 white coats, and 22 ties were obtained. Setting. The study was conducted an urban academic 650-bed teaching hospital providing tertiary care to the city of Medellin, Colombia. Results. In total, 235 bacterial isolates were obtained from 159 surfaces sampled. 98.7% of the surfaces grew positive bacterial cultures with some interesting resistance profiles. Conclusion. There are significant opportunities to reduce patient exposure to frequently pathogenic bacteria in the hospital setting; patients are likely exposed to many bacteria through direct contact with white coats, curtains, and ties. They may be exposed to additional bacterial reservoirs indirectly through the hands of clinicians, using computer keyboards and cell phones.

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ipid/2012/507640/

2-J Public Health Epidemiol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 Oct 1.

Published in final edited form as:

J Public Health Epidemiol. 2012 Dec; 4(10): 311–315.

doi:  10.5897/JPHE12.074

PMCID: PMC4180417

NIHMSID: NIHMS415646

Nurses’ uniforms: How many bacteria do they carry after one shift?

Marie-Anne Sanon and Sally Watkins

Author information ► Copyright and License information ►

 Abstract

This pilot study investigated the pathogens that nurses are potentially bringing into the public and their home when they wear work uniforms outside of the work environment. To achieve this, sterilized uniforms were distributed to 10 nurses at a local hospital in Washington State at the beginning of their shift. Worn uniforms were collected at the end of the shifts and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Four tests were conducted: 1) a heterotrophic growth plate count, 2) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) growth, 3) vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and 4) identification of the heterotrophic plate counts. Each participant completed a questionnaire and a survey. The results showed that the average bacteria colony growth per square inch was 1,246 and 5,795 for day and night shift, respectively. After 48 h, MRSA positives were present on 4 of the day shift and 3 of the night shift uniforms. Additional bacteria identified include: Bacillus sp., Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Micrococcus roseus. The significant presence of bacteria on the uniforms 48 h after the shift ended necessitates further study, discussions and policy consideration regarding wearing health care uniforms outside of the work environment.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4180417/

3-The infection risks associated with clothing and

household linens in home and everyday life

settings, and the role of laundry

April 2011

Professor Sally F. Bloomfield1 , Professor Martin Exner2 , Professor Car

http://europeantissue.com/wp-content/uploads/The-infection-risks-associated-with-clothing-and-household-linens.pdf

Hoping this will be helpful,

Rafik

Here are more links associated with contamination of clinical clothing and issues related to laundering.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019665531101011X

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9368330&fileId=S0195941700030125

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655311001179

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jhm.864/abstract;jsessionid=441620050A6DBCA0603CCCD1D34C4759.f04t02?userIsAuthenticated=false&deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195670107001351

Please let me suggest that you can find many more articles, and some of the older articles as well, if you do a search at scholar.google.com and put in search terms that are appropriate (try; "nurses uniforms" laundering bacteria ) to find well over a hundred articles.  Leaving out laundering would give you many many more.

Only half related but you might enjoy these papers.

Microorganism contamination of mezuzahs in a tertiary care hospital in Brooklyn, New York City

http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553%2813%2900223-X/abstract

“Can religious icons be vectors of infectious diseases in hospital settings?”

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655309005392

It seems that I need to add a 'warning' to many suggestions - and that is while Google Scholar is helpful, it does provide listings to many of the Predatory Journals and Predatory Publishers, so be very careful.  Do not trust these articles very much and cite them only if you trust them.  And of course, do not publish in them.  You can find the list of predatory publishers at the link below.

https://scholarlyoa.com/publishers/

See

Marie-Anne Sanon and Sally Watkins. Nurses’ uniforms: How many bacteria do they carry after one shift? J Public Health Epidemiol. 2012 Dec; 4(10): 311–315. The article ust have references for same topic. Also see :

Sabina Fijan, Sonja Šostar Turk. Hospital Textiles, Are They a Possible Vehicle for Healthcare-Associated Infections? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2012 Sep; 9(9): 3330–3343.Published online 2012 Sep 14.

and

http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s16355e/s16355e.pdf

Here is an article on the laundering habits of student nurses, and the presence after laundering.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655315005301