Nurses' uniforms - The missing link in breaking the chain of hospital acquired infection?

Do nurses' uniforms contribute to the spread of hospital-acquired infections (HAI)? This possibility is explored through historical and contemporary literature utilising published scientific, social science and expert commentary. The literature describes nurses' uniforms link to HAI as contentious and controversial and the subject has caused debate in the House of Commons, England. The relevant themes from the literature include: historical development of nurses' uniforms; public perceptions of nurses' uniforms; bacteria and nurses' uniforms; and transfer of bacteria from nurses' uniforms to patients. Nurses' uniforms are in frequent close contactwith multiple patients and thus a likely source of HAI. The historical and social connection between nurses' uniforms and society, particularly in the UK, and public impact on uniform policy and guidelines are addressed.