Large Pediatric Hospital | Texas | Cleanliness
Large Pediatric Hospital – Texas
A nurse manager at a large pediatric hospital in Texas knew their garments were gross. The harder problem was convincing everyone else, including the physicians who wore them every day around their patients.
As part of a trial, she sent a few pieces to RadCare Services (RCS). ATP readings on a physician-owned garment maxed out the reader at 20,000 RLUs. The benchmark after a deep cleaning is below 20 RLUs. She pulled her radiology manager in to look at the data. “This is just disgusting.”
RCS also inspected the garments using X-ray and flagged a crack in a thyroid shield that had been in active use. The team’s own inspection process hadn’t caught it.
She shared the findings with her surgery director, OR manager, and staff across other sites. The data made the case she hadn’t been able to make on her own, and the team aligned quickly on the need for a solution.
Before
ATP test failed (20,000 RLUs), indicating residual bioburden and contamination.
Recommended threshold is 20 RLUs or less.
ATP Results
20,000 RLU
After
ATP test passed (3 RLUs), with all stains and bioburden removed.
Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the two-step deep cleaning process.
ATP Results
3 RLU
Protective Material Damage Found
RCS’s inspection process detected severe damage in a sensitive area of a thyroid collar
being used consistently by clinicians.
Why Annual Lead Garment X-ray Inspections Are Critical
Damaged X-ray garments expose staff to unknown radiation. Regulators require annual inspection of all lead protective equipment to verify integrity. Visual and tactile inspections alone are scientifically proven to inconsistently detect cracks that compromise protection. Only radiographic inspection reliably reveals the hidden defects that put healthcare workers at risk.
Before
ATP test failed (176 RLUs), indicating residual bioburden and contamination.
Recommended threshold is 20 RLUs or less.
ATP Results
176 RLU
After
ATP test passed (5 RLUs), with all stains and bioburden removed.
Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the two-step deep cleaning process.
ATP Results
5 RLU
The Wipe Test
To demonstrate the difference in effectiveness between using wipes and deep cleaning, we wiped the dirty garment before it went through our deep cleaning and disinfection process and then conducted ATP testing. We performed ATP tests on the garments 24 hours after the use of wipes.
ATP test failed (20,000 RLUs), indicating biofilms likely present and microorganisms are replicating after only using wipes. Recommended threshold is 20 RLUs or less.
Why Wipes Don’t Work
“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.”
Dr. Kathleen Jones, Infection Disease Specialist
There are two primary reasons:
- Wipes don’t break down biofilms to thoroughly clean the garment before disinfection.
- Wipes are used inconsistently, resulting in a buildup of bacteria over time.
There are two primary reasons:
Biofilms are invisible layers of bacteria that cling tightly to surfaces, shielding harmful microbes from disinfectants and making them far more challenging to kill. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that biofilms are involved in 65% of microbial infections and 80% of chronic infections.
Wipes give the illusion of cleanliness, but when it comes to biofilms, research finds that they’re ineffective. Even if some bacteria are killed, the biofilm’s protective matrix often stays in place, creating a favorable environment for surviving germs or newcomers to repopulate.
Staph aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecalis and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci lived on over 80% of the 218 garments tested and 90% of the thyroid collars. La Fauci et al. (2016)
Pathogens such as Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae, and Staphylococcus aureus appeared on 100% of the 29 thyroid shields tested from three teaching hospitals. McAleese et al. (2020)
Staphylococcus aureus and Tinea species (Ringworm) were on 84% of the 21 garments tested. Three Staph aureus isolates were confirmed to be methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Jaber et al. (2014)
Also… The Smells? The Stains?
Let’s be honest: wipes don’t erase that lingering odor or questionable stain from the last shift.
Ready To Say Goodbye To Filthy Lead?
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