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Bacterial contamination on the surface of hospital linen chutes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

W. Whyte ,
G. Baird  and
R. Annand
W. Whyte
Affiliation:
Building Services Research Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, W. 2andThe University Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Western Infirmary, Glasgow, W. 1
G. Baird
Affiliation:
Building Services Research Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, W. 2andThe University Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Western Infirmary, Glasgow, W. 1
R. Annand
Affiliation:
Building Services Research Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, W. 2andThe University Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Western Infirmary, Glasgow, W. 1
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Summary

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A survey of 13 linen chutes in eight hospitals was carried out to assess the amount of bacterial contamination on the inner walls of these chutes. It was shown that the average bacterial count in these chutes was low by general hospital standards (19·7 bacterial colonies per Rodac plate). This concentration was eight times less than the average concentration found on the floor surface at each linen disposal and collection point (153 bacterial colonies per Rodac plate).

Three chutes sampled during the survey were periodically cleaned but appeared to derive only very limited benefits from the cleaning method they used.

Tests carried out on three linen chutes showed that the bacterial surface contamination of a sterilized chute could normally reach a maximum concentration in a period of between 4 and 24 hr.

It is concluded that so long as good engineering practices are used in the construction of linen chutes the bacterial contamination on their inner surface should not contribute to the problem of hospital cross infection. For this reason, and because of the impracticability of sterilizing linen chutes at very short intervals of time, it is considered that cleaning of chutes would serve no practical purpose.

Thanks must be recorded to the authorities of all those hospitals who gave their permission for us to study their linen disposal chutes and afforded us every assistance.

We should also like to thank Mr W. Carson, Leader of the Building Services Research Unit, for his help and encouragement.

The work reported was a part of an investigation into the design of linen disposal chutes sponsored by the Western Regional Hospital Board, Scotland.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 67 , Issue 3 , September 1969 , pp. 427 - 435
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1969

References

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