The long sleeves of healthcare workers' garments are often contaminated with bacteria, some of them potentially dangerous and this could lead to a rethink of hospital uniforms and hygiene practices in wards. Turning the spotlight on the issue is a study published in January 2026.

Over 8 out of 10 sleeves contaminated

The research, conducted by Dr. Maria F. Sanes Guevara and colleagues at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, analysed 280 samples taken from the sleeves of healthcare workers in different hospital wards.

The results: 81% of the long sleeves examined showed bacterial growth, while 21% harboured at least one potentially harmful pathogen.

"A simple gesture, such as rolling up one's sleeves, could make all the difference in the fight against nosocomial infections: it is a simple, low-cost strategy that could decrease the burden of avoidable infections. Watches and rings can also become a receptacle for bacteria, which is why they should be removed in care settings and hand washing and disinfection should be reinforced.

Some operations, on the other hand, should be performed with disposable gowns with back lacing, masks and the use of gloves. Obviously, the equipment must be adapted to the specificities of the ward, especially in function of the frailties present,' stresses Fabio Beatrice, head of the Scientific Board of the MOHRE and Chief Emeritus in Turin.

The micro-organisms identified include alpha-hemolytic streptococci (detected in 28 cases), several species of Bacillus (20 cases), Pantoea and Mixta species (8 cases), gram-negative bacilli (6 cases) and, in two cases, Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium known for its ability to cause even serious infections.

 Beware the fleece jacket

The investigation revealed significant differences between the various materials. Fleece proved to be the most 'hospitable' fabric for bacteria: more than 41% of sleeves made of this material showed the presence of at least one potential pathogen.

Non-fleece synthetic fabrics recorded a contamination of 32.8%, while cotton proved slightly safer with 24.1% contamination.

Another interesting finding concerns the distribution of contamination between the various wards: 69.6% of the sleeves sampled in ordinary wards showed bacterial growth, compared to 30.4% of those inintensive care units, where presumably infection control measures are stricter.

 Sleeves up and more hygiene

The reduction of contamination could be achieved by a very simple gesture: roll up your sleeves and expand your hand hygiene, going as far as your wrists.

The researchers pointed out that thestudy found no direct evidence of transmission from workers' clothes to patients.

However, they also noted that 'even freshly laundered clothes become substantially contaminated within hours of use', a fact that raises questions about the effectiveness of washing practices alone.

In the UK, there has long been a policy called 'bare below the elbows', whichencourages healthcare workers not to wear long sleeves.

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America has advocated this policy for more than a decade, but in the US it is not mandatory and dress code depends on the preferences of individual hospitals.