Laundering of healthcare uniforms during the COVID-19 pandemic [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Laundering of healthcare uniforms during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic
IRAS ID
286552
Contact name
Katie Laird
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
De Montfort University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 21 days
Research summary
In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Public Health England recommends that nurses’ uniforms are now laundered professionally, but this is not compulsory. Where professional laundering is not available, nurses continue to domestically launder their uniforms. The survival of coronavirus during laundering is currently unknown. It is not clear how the change in uniform laundering guidelines for laundering of uniforms is being communicated to nurses, and if industrial laundering is being offered. Previous research has indicated that there may be limited changing facilities within hospitals which may affect adherence to uniform policies. A lack of changing facilities could impact the use of environmentally friendly methods of travelling to work which has been an increased focus during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nThe aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of healthcare workers towards domestic and industrial laundering of uniforms, and any changes in laundering practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also aims to explore behaviours relating to changing out of uniform on site versus travelling home in uniform.\n\nThe questionnaire will be advertised across 3 NHS Hospital Trusts over a 2 week period and staff who regularly wear a uniform will be eligible to take part. Paper copies will be placed in staff areas with a secure box for completed questionnaires to be returned. Further posters will be displayed on staff noticeboards to advertise the study and let staff know how to access an online version of the questionnaire or where to locate a paper copy. Responses to both the online and paper copy of the questionnaire will be anonymous and the questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The questionnaire will be redistributed in the same areas 6-12 months later to understand if there are changes to knowledge and attitudes following the COVID-19 pandemic.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A