It’s no secret that healthcare professionals are wearing scrubs and other garments outside of their healthcare facilities after seeing patients and/or finishing their work shifts. Many of these pieces of healthcare personnel attire (HPA) are exposed to people and areas with a high probability of harboring infectious pathogens. Unfortunately, many of these professionals are under the false impression that laundering these garments at home will properly neutralize any unwanted contaminants.

Home washer and dryer temperatures are typically limited by local housing regulations. The typical top temperature for a home laundry system will rarely exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Hospitals require garments and linens to be washed at a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the sometimes lax adherence to garment sanitization by both medical centers and medical personnel, Medical Grade Innovations has created a line of bacteriostatic scrubs and medical apparel that are resistant to harboring infectious diseases.

Murray Cohen, PhD, MPH, CIH
Science Advisor / Infectious Control Consultant: Medical Grade Innovations