Scrubs decision makes no sense (From Salisbury Journal)

Scrubs decision makes no sense

4:10pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Postbag

I WAS totally bemused by our local hospital deciding to provide better quality scrubs for their staff but then pass the responsibility for cleaning them on to their employees (Journal, February 14).

If these dirty scrubs are washed in a domestic washing machine at home, then chances are they will be handled in a domestic environment, often in the kitchen where food is handled.

The scrubs are likely to be contaminated with hospital bacteria.

If cross-infection and the spread of MRSA is a hazard in hospital, then isn’t it also a hazard in the home?

As hospital hygiene is of paramount importance, how are the management who thought up this madcap penny-pinching scheme going to ensure that staff wash their contaminated scrubs regularly at the correct high sterilising temperature?

Perhaps the cost-cutters could also save money by instructing their surgeons to take home their scalpels and other instruments and run them through the dishwasher.

Or perhaps patients’ relatives should take the patients’ cutlery and plates home to be cleaned to save on the washing up.

Maybe they could mop and sweep round the ward and under the bed if they have a few spare minutes during visits? The possibilities are endless.

NIGEL WALSH, Firsdown