AORN Study on Garment Cleaning Regularity
Health Care Workers’ Use and Cleaning of X-Ray Aprons and Thyroid Shields
The abstract “Health Care Workers’ Use and Cleaning of X-Ray Aprons and Thyroid Shields” aimed to assess the use and cleaning practices of X-ray aprons and thyroid shields among health care workers in rural hospital systems, with a specific focus on potential infection risks and adherence to manufacturers’ recommendations.
For the full study, click here.
The Findings
Surveying 173 health care workers, predominantly registered nurses in surgical settings, the study found that 78% reported wearing soiled protective gear and 30.1% noted thyroid shield odors. Notably, 48% reported never spot-cleaning, and 21.4% of aprons or shields were never cleaned in accordance with standard departmental procedures. The study identified potential risks of bacterial contamination, emphasizing the need for evidence-based guidelines and the need for a best practice solution.
- 65.9% of X-ray aprons and thyroid shields contact a patient or patient item 1 to 10 times per shift
- 78% reported wearing soiled protective gear
- 30.1% noted thyroid shield odors
- 48% reported never spot-cleaning
- 21.4% of aprons or shields were never cleaned in accordance with standard departmental procedures
“It’s dirty. It has sweat stains. It gets mistreated. “
Most of us have just accepted it—shared lead is part of the job. But once you really look at what’s on these garments, you start asking questions. How clean is it? Who wore it last? How safe is it for me, or for my patients?
The truth is, most lead garments are never truly deep cleaned. And that needs to change.
READY TO CLEAN THOSE LEADS?
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