How to Clean Lead Aprons & Prevent Hospital Acquired Infections
Most lead apron cleaning guides or policies will recommend wipes and sprays, but if you’re not cleaning your garments with both regular wipe-downs and quarterly deep cleaning and sanitization, you could be putting your staff and patients at risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Regular garment cleaning maintains the integrity of personal protective equipment, such as lead aprons, and reducing contamination risks.
We’ve even experienced these risks ourselves.
The NIH reports that biofilm formation is associated with 65% of microbial infections and 80% of chronic illnesses.
While routine cleaning of X-ray garments with wipes and sprays can help slow the buildup of bacteria and biofilm, it highlights why lead aprons need professional deep cleaning, not just wipes and sprays to effectively prevent it.
That’s why our cleaning guide covers both.
We’ll explain how to wipe down your lead aprons on a regular basis to help keep biofilm at bay as well as how to arrange quarterly deep cleanings to eradicate biofilm and bacteria buildup entirely.
Regular Cleanings (Perform After Each Use)
Follow these steps to properly wipe down aprons after use to help slow down bacteria and biofilm buildup.
Use Clorox Hydrogen Peroxide Wipes or Ecolab Quaternary Based Wipes. These products will help reduce bacteria and biofilm buildup and will not damage the garment material. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Clean the entire garment surface, even areas that may look clean, as harmful micro-bacteria may not be apparent.
Hang or lay the garment flat to dry without creases in an undisturbed environment.
Repeat these steps after each use for essential maintenance of your X-ray garments.
Recommended Daily Cleaning Products
Some common chemicals in wipes and sprays, like alcohol and bleach, can degrade or oxidize the core material of lead aprons over time. This compromises the integrity and efficacy of the garment and makes wearers more susceptible to germs and infections.
Commonly used wipes and sprays also have specific requirements for effective use, such as being used on a “pre-cleaned” or “non-porous” surface.
Additionally, those cleaning agents can spread biofilm on aprons and ultimately assist in its growth since they’re not properly eradicating and removing the biofilms, creating a false sense of safety.
Below are our recommended products that are safe to use daily for cleaning X-ray garments between deep cleanings. Both use a disposable microfiber cloth that will follow the CDC recommendation of using friction to clean the surface before disinfection.
Deep Cleaning & Sanitization (Schedule Quarterly)
Governing bodies, such as AORN, recommend quarterly cleaning and sanitization of high-touch objects.
Clinicians frequently handle lead aprons during surgeries, X-rays, or while treating patients, making them a high-touch object. Therefore, we recommend deep cleaning these protective garments quarterly.
You may consider deep cleaning garments in-house. However, properly deep cleaning and sanitizing garments requires specialized tools, equipment, and knowledge.
If you do not have what you need to deep clean in-house, you can hire a third-party company, like RCS.
How Deep Cleaning & Sanitization Works
We've spent over a decade developing a proven best-practice process to keep our customers safe, including a proprietary two-step cleaning and sanitization process that yields best practice outcomes as defined by the CDC.
Below is a high-level overview of our deep cleaning and sanitization process. (*We recommend that you ensure the third-party company you choose follows best practices and clearly defined guidelines as recommended by the governing bodies.)
Step 1: Prep the Garments
Garment prep is initiated by removing debris from the Velcro and examining the status of Velcro, hanging straps, buckles, trim, etc. to identify areas needing extra attention.
Step 2: Cleaning
We apply an EPA-registered product using friction to physically remove dirt, microorganisms, and bioburden.
According to the CDC, friction must be used during deep cleaning before sanitization. This step of the process is critical for eradicating biofilms.
Step 3: Sanitization
We kill 99.9% of any remaining microorganisms through the proper administration of a garment-safe, sanitizing agent. This step is only effective once the garment has been deep cleaned.
Step 4: ATP Test for Quality Control
We use ATP testing to verify a clean and safe outcome for the processed garments.
How Often Should Lead Aprons Be Cleaned?
The AORN and CDC recommend cleaning and disinfecting lead aprons daily. Deep cleaning should be carried out quarterly, similar to other high-touched surfaces.
Daily wipedowns with soft bristle brush and using approved disinfectants and wipes are also recommended as a basic cleaning measure. That said, remember that this only removes some dirt, debris, and germs. Even if your facility maintains regular wipe-down practices, tougher microbes can remain, leading to problems later on.
Think of taking care of your lead aprons like taking care of your teeth. Just like you should brush your teeth every day to keep them clean, you should also wipe down your lead aprons daily. However, it's also important to visit the dentist for a thorough cleaning a few times a year to ensure your teeth are really healthy. The same idea applies to your lead aprons: in addition to regular cleaning, you need to deep clean and disinfect them a couple of times a year for proper care.
Some facilities may consider performing quarterly deep cleanings in-house. However, this process is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, most medical teams find it easier to partner with professional cleaning and sanitization services like ours at RCS. We’ll ensure a compliant and consistent cleaning process and send you reminders when your next cleaning date approaches so you can maintain the ideal cleaning frequency.
Studies Show Lead Aprons Require Both Regular and Deep Cleaning & Sanitization
Dr. M. Jaber conducted clinical studies revealing that X-ray aprons can harbor various microorganisms. In his research, Dr. Jaber cultured 25 lead aprons and found:
● 84% were colonized with Tinea species (Ringworm)
● 84% were colonized with Staphylococcus aureus
● 12% were colonized with MRSA
When only wipes and sprays are used, biofilm and other contaminants can be spread around the surface of your X-ray garment.
Clorox Hydrogen Peroxide Wipes and Ecolab Quaternary Based Wipes are great options for daily maintenance, but these common disinfectants only remove the top layer of colonized bacteria.
That's why it's necessary to also deep clean and sanitize your lead garments to remove all biofilm and contaminants.
When debris is not thoroughly removed, it can increase bacteria and biofilm buildup, raising the risk of infections for patients and staff.
"When facilities only use wipes on a surface and don't completely remove the debris, they are in essence creating an 'all you can eat buffet' for the surviving bacteria to thrive upon," explained Dr. Kathleen Jones, who holds a doctorate in emerging infectious diseases.
A deep cleaning process using friction is needed to eliminate biofilm and bacteria buildup from the lead aprons.
How Can Improper Cleaning Affect Lead Aprons?
Improper cleaning can lead to material degradation that reduces the efficacy of aprons.
The Effects Of Using Harsh Chemicals
A major cleaning mistake is using wipes or sprays that contain harsh chemicals, such as alcohol or bleach. These chemicals can degrade lead materials, such as rubber, plastics, and fabrics.
The outer layers of lead aprons are usually made of rubber, vinyl, or nylon fabric, so they would fall under that category. Regular use of those chemicals could cause holes or tears in the apron’s outer material and later cause damage to the internal lead layer.
Improper Cleaning Reduces Lead Apron Lifespans
Cracks, tears, holes, contaminants, stains, and odors all reduce the lifespan of lead aprons. Disposing and replacing aprons faster costs your facility money and can disrupt operations.
It’s another reason why proper cleaning and damage prevention are vital. We’ve estimated that RCS customers extend the lifespan of lead aprons by 2-4 years.
Uncleaned Or Poorly Cleaned Aprons Reduce Staff Satisfaction
When your aprons have odors, stains, or harmful contamination, your staff is affected greatly. It’s challenging to work in unclean environments or wear unsanitary protective garments, knowing that it can affect your own health or the safety of patients.
Therefore, make sure your facility is doing everything it can to:
Implement the proper protocols to ensure patient and staff safety.
Train staff members on proper lead apron cleaning and storage.
Partner with professional services to get the best results.
Benefits of Deep Cleaning
Improves Garment Lifespan
Lead garments endure various contaminants, leading to unpleasant odors and stains. Over time, some wipes or sprays can corrode the apron's material. The deep cleaning process, however, can significantly improve the lifespan of your X-ray garments, saving you money in the long run.
RCS customers typically see a two-to-four-year additional lifespan for their garments. Savings rapidly accumulate to thousands of dollars, quickly offsetting the cost of the deep cleaning services. RCS also offers a simple disposal solution when it is time to retire your garments.
Increases Staff Satisfaction
Quarterly X-ray garment deep cleaning alleviates staff concerns about garment cleanliness, fostering greater satisfaction among team members who no longer have to compete for the cleanest garment at work.
Deep Cleaning Ensures Compliance
Ensuring compliance with cleaning protocols is difficult in a busy environment. An AORN study on garment cleaning regularity surveyed 173 healthcare workers, predominantly registered nurses in surgical settings, and discovered that:
● 78% reported wearing soiled protective gear
● 30.1% noted thyroid shield odors
● 48% admitted to never spot-cleaning
● 21.4% of aprons or shields never underwent standard department cleaning
Partnering with professional deep cleaning services helps meet regulatory and accreditation standards while reducing the burden on your staff. RCS will help you develop protocols, employ lead apron tagging for efficient inventory management, and maintain comprehensive records of garment inspection, facilitating compliance with audit requirements and accreditation standards.
Why Is Regular Cleaning Of Lead Aprons Important?
Regularly cleaning X-ray garments like lead aprons is essential because contaminants build up quickly in medical settings and pose several health and safety risks.
A study by Dr. M. Jaber analyzed 25 lead aprons used in a medical facility. The findings showed that 84% were colonized with Staphylococcus aureus and Tinea species (Ringworm), and 12% were colonized with MRSA.
Another study by the Journal of Radiology showed that contaminants like these can risk infection or the transfer of infectious diseases to both clinicians and patients. The risk is even higher if a contaminated apron bumps into an open wound.
Additionally, a study by AORN surveyed 173 healthcare workers. 78% reported wearing soiled protective garments, and 30.1% said they had worn thyroid shields with odors.
The study by AORN also noted that 48% of healthcare workers surveyed admitted to never spot-cleaning the apron’s core material, and 21.4% said that aprons and shields never underwent standard department cleaning. Therefore, implementing the right cleaning protocols in healthcare facilities can significantly improve the health and safety of staff and patients.
What Is The Impact Of Microorganisms On Lead Aprons?
The buildup of harmful microorganisms like MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus on lead aprons causes serious health and safety risks, such as significantly increasing the likelihood of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
When aprons become contaminated and aren’t cleaned for an extended time, biofilm can form on the flat surface. Biofilms are an aggregate of microbes where cells adhere to each other on the surface of lead aprons. They can consist of one or more species, be single or multi-layered, and are usually pathogenic, which increases the risk of infection.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stated that 65% of microbial infections and 80% of chronic infections are associated with biofilms.
Wipes And Sprays Aren’t Enough To Remove Biofilms
It’s important to note that using wipes and sprays as the only cleaning solution won’t be enough for lead aprons contaminated with biofilms.
Wipes and sprays usually spread the biofilm around the apron’s surface rather than removing it. At most, it may remove the top layer of the biofilm, leaving the bottom layer to feed and reform. Dr. Kathleen Jones states that leaving debris behind by only wiping the apron down creates an “all-you-can-eat buffet” for the remaining bacteria to regrow and thrive.
Therefore, professional cleaning is essential for contamination control. The problem doesn’t go away without regular cleaning and sanitization designed to combat the nature of biofilms.
Are There Professional Services For Lead Apron Cleaning?
There are professional cleaning services for lead aprons. We can help and provide expert cleaning at Radiological Care Services (RCS). When you partner with us, we aim to make the entire process easy for healthcare facilities to manage.
One of the features we offer is our RADCOMPLY™ inventory management software. It allows you to track lead aprons in use at your facility, log cleaning and testing reports, and receive alerts when your next cleaning date is approaching.
When quarterly cleaning dates arrive, all you have to do is send lead aprons to us, and we’ll apply our compliant deep cleaning and sanitization procedures that follow CDC recommendations.
Other Services Offered At RCS
In addition to lead apron cleaning and sanitization, we also provide:
Annual lead apron inspections using X-ray scanning to detect damage, such as cracks, holes, or tears, that degrade the quality of aprons.
Garment repairs to get aprons back in top condition if damages are found.
Lead apron disposal and equipment purchases when garments meet rejection criteria and need to be replaced.
Schedule Your Next Deep Cleaning
When you schedule a lead apron deep cleaning and sanitization service with RCS, you can be confident knowing that we not only meet the standards, we also set the standards as the world's first solution. We’ve been leaders in the industry for the past ten years.
Our comprehensive solution includes X-ray garment cleaning and sanitization, complimentary repairs, inventory management, and annual integrity checks. We are dedicated to doing what is right for patient and staff safety.
