As medical professionals, we can often border on obsessive when keeping our uniforms clean. Come to think of it; we might even sterilize them if we only had the time and resources!
And who can blame us? We’re exposed to a hygienic nightmare of bacteria, viruses and fungi, all of which we’ve pledged to combat for the sake and health of humanity.
Enter Antimicrobial Scrubs
Nowadays we have the option to get antimicrobial scrubs. These scrubs are treated with a substance that helps protect them from bacteria and other microbes. This not only means that these scrubs minimize the amount of bacteria on our clothes, it also protects us from unwanted odors.
Nowadays, antimicrobial scrubs are pretty popular among healthcare professionals. It’s easy to see why. However, there are a few misconceptions about them that need to be quashed.
Wash After Use
Just because your scrubs are antimicrobial doesn’t mean that you can get away with not washing them. Even though they will be far less prone to microbial growth than ordinary scrubs, it will still undergo the normal wear of everyday life.
After all, it’s going to go through sweat, coffee stains and, God forbid, the occasional bodily fluid. Even if things don’t get that bad, daily activities and exposure to patients still certainly call for washing after wearing.
Scrubs for Life
The good news is that, because it’s antimicrobial, it will last much longer than your regular ones. Bacteria and fungi play a role in the wear and decay of fabric. Because antimicrobial scrubs tend to harbor less, if not none at all, of these microscopic critters, you’ll find that it’ll take them years to wear down.
So if you want extra protection from disease, antimicrobial scrubs may be just the thing you need. In fact, some studies show that they are protective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a pretty big deal in hospital settings.
All you need to remember, really, is that their antimicrobial property isn’t a good reason to skip on the laundry or on the medical handwashing.
