New Lab Coat Could Help Prevent Spread of Bacteria

A new series of lab coats and scrubs are embedded with a silver-based antimicrobial compound that can kill resistant microorganisms such as methillicin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, and Salmonella.

The DocFroc coats and scrubs are treated with a tri-active silver-impregnated nanotechnology coating that is both hydrophobic and antibacterial, which prevents bacteria from sticking to and growing on the fabric. The coats and scrubs also enjoy an updated design with pockets intended for pagers and stethoscope, a pocket for a cell phone, as well as two secure, inside Velcro pockets for personal items. Male and female versions of both the traditional white lab coat and scrubs are available to provide the best fit and comfort to all healthcare providers; the women's coat has an added adjustable waist, while the men's coat has a restrainer loop to prevent a tie from dragging on contaminated surfaces.


Since the antibacterial coating prevents bacteria from sticking and growing on the fabric, there is also no clinging of body odor, which is caused by the bacterial metabolism in reaction and proximity to sweat. The antibacterial tri-active coating remains 98% effective even after 100 washes, the equivalent of two years of standard use. Additionally, the fabric is stain resistant due to the hydrophobic nanotechnology, preventing coffee or body fluids from staining coat, thus increasing the longevity of the coats and scrubs. The Docfroc coats and scrubs are the product of DocFroc (Chicago, IL, USA), in a joint venture with Blue Devil Textile (Gastonia, NC, USA).

"Lab coats or scrubs can be the source of some serious bacterial hazards like MRSA,” said Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona (Tucson, USA). "When doctors or nurses lean over the beds of patients who are carrying organisms, their clothing can become contaminated. Hours later that bacteria can still be alive and passed on through incidental contact with other patients.”

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