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PubMed2005

Implementing hygiene monitoring systems in hospital laundries in order to reduce microbial contamination of hospital textiles.

As textiles sent to hospital laundries contain many types of pathogenic organisms, it is important that laundering not only has an appropriate cleaning effect but also has a satisfactory disinfecting effect. Critical to this process is the maintenance of an appropriate hygiene level in the clean area of laundries in order to prevent recontamination of textiles from manual handling when ironing, folding, packing etc. The aims of this study were to evaluate the hygienic state of a hospital laundry, to introduce continuous sanitary measures, and to introduce a continuous hygiene monitoring system with an infection control programme. Two systems for evaluating hospital laundry hygiene were combined: HACCP principles (hazard analysis and critical control points) and RAL-GZ 992 standards (quality assurance standard for textile care of hospital laundry). Evaluation of the hygienic state of the hospital laundry was carried out by evaluating the number and types of micro-organisms present at the critical control points throughout the whole laundering process, using RODAC agar plates for surface sampling and the pour plate method for investigating water samples. The initial examination showed that the sanitary condition of the laundry did not reach the required hygiene level. Therefore, fundamental sanitation measures were instituted and the examination was repeated. Results were then satisfactory. The most important critical control point was the chemothermal laundering efficiency of the laundering process. To prevent micro-organisms spreading into the entire clean working area, it is important that, in addition to regular sanitary measures such as cleaning/disinfecting all working areas, technical equipment and storage shelves etc., regular education sessions for laundry employees on proper hand hygiene is undertaken and effective separation of the clean and dirty working areas is achieved.

Bedding and Linens↗
PubMed2003

Contact toxicity and residual activity of different permethrin-based fabric impregnation methods for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae), and Lepisma saccharina (Thysanura: Lepismatidae).

The effectiveness and residual activities of permethrin-impregnated military battle dress uniforms were evaluated by comparing a new company-manufactured ready-to-use polymer-coating method with two "dipping methods" that are currently used to treat uniforms. Residual permethrin amounts and remaining contact toxicities on treated fabrics before and after up to 100 launderings were tested against Aedes aegypti (L.), Ixodes ricinus (L.), and Lepisma saccharina (L.). The residual amount of permethrin was considerably higher with the polymer-coating method: 280 mg a.i./m2 after 100 launderings, compared with 16 and 11 mg a.i./m2, respectively, obtained when using the two dipping methods. Hard ticks were most susceptible to the new polymer-coating method, resulting in prelaundering 100% knockdown times of 7.0 +/- 0.9 min, whereas equivalent times for the dipping methods were 7.9 +/- 0.35 min and 8.0 +/- 0.54 min, respectively. After 100 launderings, 100% knockdown of I. ricinus nymphs was reached at 15.2 +/- 1.04 min using the polymer-coating method, compared with 178.8 +/- 24.7 min and 231 +/- 53.6 min, respectively, using the dipping methods. Similar results were obtained for Ae. aegypti and L. saccharina, indicating that the polymer-coating method is more effective and efficient when compared with the dipping methods.

Aedes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Provision and decontamination of uniforms in the NHS.

AIM: To ascertain the provision and decontamination of uniforms within a cross-section of NHS trusts in the UK and to compare policies regarding their use. METHOD: A questionnaire was circulated to 170 NHS trust infection control teams in the UK. Eighty-six (51 per cent) responses were received, which represented 101 NHS trusts. RESULTS: Less than half of the trusts (47 per cent) provide adequate numbers of uniforms to allow a clean uniform per shift. Only 26 per cent had adequate on-site staff changing facilities and 65 per cent did not launder uniforms. The majority of nursing staff (91 per cent) were compelled, by a combination of these factors, to launder their uniforms at home. Few were provided with any guidance on how to do this safely. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for minimum standards to be set for the provision of uniforms, laundering and changing facilities, to minimise the potential for spread of healthcare-associated infections.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed2006

[Microbiological assessment of efficiency of antibacterial modified textiles].

The application of antimicrobial finishes to textiles can prevent bacterial growth and might reduce the risk of infection resulting from textiles that are contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms in hospitals. The main aim of this study was the determination of the antibacterial activities of chemical treatments applied to textiles. Comparison of testing methods assessing antibacterial efficiency was conducted. These studies were performed in order to select the right methods of evaluating the bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity of antibacterial modified textiles. Antibacterial modified polyester fibres and fabrics made from cotton (100%) applied with quaternary ammonium salts were tested. Textiles treated with bacterial agent were compared with reference samples (not treatment with the disinfectant). The Standards ISO/DIS 20645/2002 andAATCC 147/ 1998 suitable for assessment of bacteriostatic activity were applied. For assessment of bactericidal activity ATCC Test Method 100-1998 were applied. The bacterial strains recommended by the above standards such as: Klebsiellapneumoniae (ATCC 4352),Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Escherichia coli (ATCC 11229) was tested. Additionally Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) was examined. Tested fibres did not show antibacterial activity. Samples of antibacterial textiles were washed through laboratory laundering cycles. Residual antimicrobial activity was measured after washes. The fabric showed antibacterial activity against K. pneumonia and S. aureus. The examined specimens showed no bacteriostatic activity against E. coli and P. aeruginosa. The results obtained in two applied quality methods were comparable in assessing antibacterial activity of finishes. Reduction of bacteria in quantitative method was 90%. In quality method ISO/DIS 20645/2002 effectiveness of the treatment against K. pneumonia was retained up to five laundering cycles and against S. aureus--twenty laundering cycles.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1994

How hospital linen and laundry services are provided.

Hospitals provide clean linen for patients and staff. This article describes the laundering process, laundry equipment, how used hospital linen differs from that of other large organizations and the Department of Health guidance on handling and laundering hospital linen. It reviews how hospital linen contracts are awarded and the responsibilities of the team which evaluates them. Methods of microbiological testing of laundered linen and the interpretation of the results are considered. The properties of different fabrics available for use in operating theatres are summarized. Measures to prevent infection and injury to staff handling used linen are given.

Bedding and Linens↗
PubMed1987

Clinical studies with disposable diapers containing absorbent gelling materials: evaluation of effects on infant skin condition.

Disposable infant diapers with absorbent gelling material (cross-linked sodium polyacrylates) incorporated into the core were clinically evaluated for their effect on infant skin condition. Absorbent gelling materials tightly hold water and provide pH control by a buffering capacity as well as by helping to segregate urine apart from feces. Four clinical studies were conducted with each following a rigid protocol that controlled for variables of diet and age in addition to the diaper material that may influence the development of diaper dermatitis and helped to control for any inherent bias in the study. This allowed for the controlled assessment of skin condition with respect to diaper type. Absorbent gelling material-containing disposable, conventional (100% cellulose core) disposable, and home-laundered cloth diapers were test products. In these studies 1614 infants were initially enrolled with 522 of them assigned to absorbent gelling material disposable, 738 to conventional disposable, and 354 to home-laundered cloth diapers. Objective measurements of skin wetness (transepidermal water loss) and skin pH, as well as double-blind grading of diaper dermatitis, were the measures of skin condition. Absorbent gelling material disposable diapers were associated with significantly reduced skin wetness, closer to normal skin pH, and lower degrees of diaper dermatitis when compared to conventional disposable or home-laundered cloth diapers. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that better control in the diaper area of skin wetness, skin pH, and the prevention of the mixing of urine and feces produces a better diaper environment.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1987

Clinical tests with improved disposable diapers.

Etiologic factors in the development of episodic diaper dermatitis include skin wetness and skin damage from fecal enzymes. In addition, when urine and feces mix, the activities of fecal enzymes increase as the pH rises from production of ammonia. An improved disposable diaper has been developed to provide better control of these factors by improved wetness and pH control. The improved diaper contains absorbent gelling materials (AGMs) blended into the diaper's cellulose core. AGMs are nontoxic, cross-linked polyacrylate polymers. They bind water tightly, give pH control by providing a buffering capacity, and in a diaper help to segregate urine and feces, thereby reducing the potential for increases in pH from ammonia production. To assess the effectiveness of this diaper, four 16-week clinical home-use tests were conducted with the AGM disposable versus conventional cellulose core disposable and home-laundered cloth diapers. Rigid group randomized stratification of infant maturity, diet, and initial level of diaper dermatitis provided control of factors other than the diaper that impact on development of diaper dermatitis. Skin wetness as measured by transepidermal water loss immediately after diaper removal, skin pH, and blinded visual evaluation of diaper dermatitis were used as skin condition measures. The use of AGM disposable diapers was associated with significantly reduced skin wetness and closer to normal skin pH as compared with the use of conventional disposable or home-laundered cloth diapers. Considered as an aggregate, the four clinical studies showed that AGM disposable diapers provide a better diaper environment and are associated with significantly lower degrees of diaper dermatitis than conventional disposable and home-laundered cloth diapers.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1997

[Effect of domestic laundry processes on mycotic contamination of textiles].

Inadequately decontaminated clothing may be a source of reinfection following therapy of dermato- and onychomycoses. The objective of this study was to determine whether domestic laundering is suitable for cleansing mycotically contaminated garments. Textile-samples contaminated with Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Candida albicans and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were washed in an ordinary washing machine at different temperatures. Regardless of the textiles and detergents used, reliable decontamination was achieved by laundering at 60 degrees C. Trichophyton rubrum was eliminated with a washing temperature of 30 degrees C.

Clothing↗
PubMed1998

Reduction in human exposure to pesticide using traditional work clothing fabrics with chemical finishing: carboxymethylation and starch.

Franz diffusion experiments with human skin combined with work-clothing fabric have shown that skin exposure to pesticides is reduced by the presence of traditional nonbarrier textiles. This study was undertaken to obtain further information about the reduction in exposure using traditional work-clothing fabrics that had chemical finishing to increase the sorption properties. The effects of a renewable starch finish and chemical modification by carboxymethylation on cotton fabrics on the pesticide (methyl parathion) retention, transfer, and decontamination by laundering were investigated. Two weights of work clothing fabrics made of 100% cotton were used, one appropriate for shirts and the other for pants. The amount of pesticide observed on human skin was reduced by the presence of clothing fabric. Carboxymethylation of the shirt fabric reduced the amount of pesticide observed on the human skin. This treatment also resulted in less pesticide being transferred to a second fabric layer within a clothing system. No pesticide penetrated to the second fabric layer when the heavier pant fabric was used as the outer layer. The lighter weight shirt fabric did not retain as much pesticide as the pant fabric. The pesticide retained on the shirt fabric was increased by the application of a renewable starch finish and by carboxymethylation; both of these finishes were found to be effective in enhancing the decontamination of cotton fabrics by laundering.

Decontamination↗
PubMed2004

Effect of ultrasonic energy in washing of medical surgery gowns.

Today, the use of medical textiles is very important for health and hygienic purposes. Although some of medical textile materials are disposable, surgery gowns are usually laundered and re-used. After the laundering it is desirable to have these gowns keeping some of their properties such as anti-microbial and tenacity properties. For this in mind, different surgery gowns were washed and compared. In this work, a special blend of polyester carbon anti-microbial and other surgery gowns were stained with blood and later washed with both conventional method and with ultrasonic energy. The results were also analysed spectrophotometrically and the tenacity of the fabrics were determined.

Carbon↗
PubMed1994

Stimulation of attachment in a camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii (Acari: Ixodidae): the unintended result of sublethal exposure to permethrin-impregnated fabric.

The susceptibility of a camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii (Koch), to permethrin-impregnated military uniform fabric was studied to determine the effects of laundering and contact time. Separate contact toxicity tests were conducted with laboratory-colonized male and female ticks of uniform age. Unfed, unmated ticks were exposed for periods of 5, 10, 30, and 60 min to each of five fabrics: unwashed-untreated, unwashed-treated, and 1, 2, or 3 times washed after treatment (1-, 2-, 3-wash-treated). Treated fabric was impregnated with permethrin at 0.125 mg (AI)/cm2. Laundering was by machine washing with detergent followed by hot air machine drying. Intoxication immediately after exposure was assessed by activity response: the proportion of ticks attaching to a host (rabbit) within 60 min and the average time elapsed between contact and insertion of mouthparts. Unexpectedly, permethrin exposure activated an attachment response in both sexes. At all contact times, and in each wash-treated group, a greater proportion of ticks attached, and did so more rapidly, than in controls. Mortality assessment 24 h after exposure showed that females were more tolerant than males and experienced light mortality even after 60 min of contact. Both natural and acquired factors may account for permethrin tolerance in this species. Consistent with pyrethroid mode of action and pheromone function in ticks, it is hypothesized that sublethal levels of permethrin may act on H. dromedarii to induce premature or excess release of a neurosecretory substance that elicits attachment.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Training and generalization of laundry skills: a multiple probe evaluation with handicapped persons.

An instructional procedure composed of a graded sequence of prompts and token reinforcement was used to train a complex chain of behaviors which included sorting, washing, and drying clothes. A multiple probe design with sequential instruction across seven major components of the laundering routine was used to demonstrate experimental control. Students were taught to launder clothing using machines located in their school and generalization was assessed later on machines located in the public laundromat. A comparison of students' laundry skills with those of normal peers indicated similar levels of proficiency. Follow-up probes demonstrated maintenance of laundry skills over a 10-month period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Tunnel washing from the user's viewpoint.

It's become a matter of fact. Whenever a launderer is considering some sort of production upgrade, the tunnel washer is one of the options that is investigated. Everyone is aware of the basic concept of tunnel washing, but all of the units that are marketed in the U.S. have some engineering differences that make them unique. To decide which unit is best for your laundry, it is necessary to do some extensive research. This means talking to manufacturers, knowledgeable chemical suppliers, and other launderers who have already taken the plunge. During the past few years, the DIGEST has asked manufacturers to comment on various aspects of tunnel washing. This year, however, we have decided to get the inside story from operators who have installed these units in their plants. We also have some input from chemical suppliers who are experienced in developing formulas for tunnels.

Decision Making↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of appropriate system for reclaimed wastewater reuse in each area of Tokyo using GIS-based water balance model.

The appropriate type of reclaimed wastewater reuse system in each area of Tokyo was evaluated from the aspect of economic efficiency, using a GIS-based water balances model. The following four reclaimed wastewater reuse systems and conventional waterworks and sewerage system were evaluated; "Rain water storage and use system", "Onsite wastewater treatment and reuse system", "Sewage treatment and reuse at an intermediate point on the sewer pipe" and "Treated water supply system in sewage treatment plant". In the case that we install them to office and residential buildings, the supplied volume by reclaimed wastewater reuse systems is 693 thousands m3/d, this corresponds to 15% of total water demand in the area. Furthermore, the effects of the following scenarios brought about by technological innovation in water treatment were investigated; the case that flush water in toilet and wastewater from kitchen are also available as source in a "onsite wastewater treatment and reuse system" and the case that reclaimed water is used for laundering in residential buildings. When reclaimed water is used for laundering in residential buildings, the supplied volume by these systems increases to 814 thousand m3/d in the case that these systems are installed to office and residential buildings.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed1988

Microwave sterilization of Candida on underwear fabric. A preliminary report.

Candida-contaminated underwear might not be sterilized by ordinary laundering. The effectiveness of microwaving against Candida albicans on fabric was therefore determined. Swatches of Candida-impregnated cotton underpants fabric were subjected to domestic microwaving at the high setting for up to 30 minutes. If the fabric was microwaved dry, the Candida organisms survived. If the fabric was moistened, sterilization occurred within five minutes. Microwaving wet, freshly laundered cotton underpants should sterilize residual Candida and reduce the risk of reinfection.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1994

[Malignant mesothelioma in families of asbestos workers].

Malignant mesothelioma is primarily an occupational disease of asbestos workers. While there is usually a latent period of 20-40 years between exposure and appearance of the tumor, the duration of exposure may be as short as a single month. Rarely, it may appear in family members and others living with asbestos workers who might be exposed to asbestos from work clothes during laundering, or from fibers on the skin or hair of the asbestos worker. Attention should therefore be paid to those with nonoccupational contact with asbestos. We report 2 cases of pleural mesothelioma in families of asbestos workers. In both cases the laundering of work clothes was done at home. The first was a 33-year-old man; during his childhood his father worked with asbestos boards for 5 years. The second was a 76-year-old woman whose husband worked in an asbestos factory for 32 years, up to 18 years before diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Factors affecting the bacteriological contamination of commercial washing machines.

Wash water from self-service washing machines in three commercial launderettes of Bologna (Italy) were examined to verify which factors affect their bacterial contamination and to determine which procedures in the laundering process have the most significant effects on the removal of bacteria. Four washing formulas were compared: a delicates cycle (programmed temperature 25-30 degrees C; actual temperature: 28-31 degrees C); a whites cycle (programmed temperature: 80-90 degrees C; actual temperature: 50-57.5 degrees C); a delicates cycle with the addition of an oxygen-based bleach safe for delicate fabrics and a whites cycle with the addition of an oxygen-based bleach. Bacterial contamination of washing machines was higher in the launderette most heavely used, and, furthermore, it was in relation with the washing temperature and the use of bleaches. The low temperature laundering cycle (20-30 degrees C) did not guarantee elimination of bacterial content from either the inside of the washing machine or from the fabric being washed. Washing with water at a higher temperature, of about 55 degrees C, or adding an oxygen-based bleach to the low temperature cycle did ensure a significant reduction in bacterial recovery from water samples and fabrics, but did not prevent bacteria such as P. aeruginosa from surviving inside the washing machine. Only the addition of bleaches to the hot water program ensured the almost total elimination of bacteria and also guaranteed their elimination from protected parts of the drum.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1993

Decontaminating pesticide protective clothing.

The review of recent work on the mechanisms of soil removal from textiles assists in understanding decontamination of pesticide protective clothing. The current work provides explanatory conclusions about residue retention as a basis of making recommendations for the most effective decontamination procedures. A caution about generalizations: Some pesticides produce very idiosyncratic responses to decontamination. An example is the paraquat/salt response. Other pesticides exhibit noticeable and unique responses to a highly alkaline medium (carbaryl), or to bleach (chlorpyrifos), or are quickly volatilized (methyl parathion). Responses such as these do not apply to other pesticides undergoing decontamination. Given this caution, there are soil, substrate, and solvent responses that do maximize residue removal. Residue removal is less complete as the concentration of pesticide increases. The concentration of pesticide in fabric builds with successive exposures, and the more concentrated the pesticide, the more difficult the removal. Use a prewash product and/or presoak. The surfactant and/or solvent in a prewash product is a booster in residue removal. Residues transfer from contaminated clothing to other clothing during the washing cycle. Use a full washer of water for a limited number of garments to increase residue removal. The hotter the washing temperature, the better. Generally, this means a water temperature of at least 49 degrees C, and preferably 60 degrees C. Select the detergent shown to be more effective for the formulation: heavy-duty liquid detergents for emulsifiable concentrate formulations and powdered phosphate detergents for wettable powder formulations. If the fabric has a soil-repellent finish, use 1.25 times the amount recommended on the detergent label. For water hardness above 300 ppm, an additional amount of powdered phosphate detergent is needed to obtain the same level of residue removal as obtained with the heavy-duty liquid detergent when laundering fabrics with the soil-repellent finish. The mechanical action of agitation increases dislodgement of particulate material. Too many items in the washing apparatus or too low water volume, or both, decrease agitation and soil removal. Bleach can be used if desired. Fabric softener does not affect pesticide absorption or residue removal in laundering. Dry cleaning is not recommended because the solvents used in dry cleaning may be recycled through dilution, filtration, activated charcoal adsorption, or distillation. Pesticides still may be present in recycled solvents and can be transferred from one item to another, or from one load to subsequent loads of dry cleaning.

Decontamination↗