Bacteriological quality of fabrics washed at lower-than-standard temperatures in a hospital laundry facility.

摘要: We determined whether the bacteriological quality of fabrics cleaned in a hospital laundry could be maintained at wash temperatures lower than 75 degrees C by use economically reasonable formulas and conditions. Three groups bacteria were examined to determine quality: aerobic, nonexacting chemoorganotrophs, staphylococci, total coliforms. The distribution on soiled fabric was patchy, with staphylococci coliforms ranging from less 0.1 greater 4 X 10(3) CFU/cm2 chemoorganotrophs 5 10(5) CFU/cm2. washing process routinely produced containing 1 Low-temperature (47.8 60.0 C) procedures eliminated all bacterial least as effectively did high-temperature procedures. effectiveness density reduction low temperature augmented increased concentrations bleach. Successful low-temperature such that shown here may save both energy money for hospitals.