Survival of gram-positive bacteria on hospital fabrics.

The results of the study on the survival of gram-positive bacteria on hospital fabrics (2) are certainly not to be taken lightly. However, the manner in which the materials were prepared for testing warrant clarification. First is the chemical formulation used in laundering the fabrics. In addition to their having been subjected to a cycle with a proven disinfectant of sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) (1), an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered quaternary ammonium bacteriostat should have been included in the final rinse. The effectiveness of this antimicrobial agent as a growth inhibitor of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms is known to remain with the textile until it is laundered again (4). Second, it is noted that the fabrics were sterilized by ETO prior to being inoculated. Historically, reusable fabrics have been steam sterilized if need be (3). As a result, there is no way of knowing what effect, if any, the ETO could have had on the additive’s antimicrobial effectiveness. Assuming that both chlorine bleach and a “stat” were an integral part of the laundry process, the question that logically arises is whether the results would have proven to be the same if the materials would have been preconditioned by steam sterilization.