The effect of silver impregnation of surgical scrub suits on surface bacterial contamination.

Summary: Silver is often marketed as a "magic bullet" for hygiene, woven into fabrics to kill germs. In a busy veterinary hospital, researchers tested whether surgical scrubs infused with silver could keep doctors cleaner than standard cotton/polyester scrubs. They measured bacterial levels on the uniforms before shifts started, and again after 4 and 8 hours of work. While the silver scrubs did start the day with fewer bacteria, the benefit didn't last. Once the work began—handling animals and moving around—the silver scrubs became just as contaminated as the regular ones. The study concludes that for active veterinary staff, silver-impregnated clothing doesn't offer a lasting shield against bacteria during a shift.