Ariel Schroeder, 11th grade– St. JosephHigh School
Project: White Coats: Boon orBane? Abstract: In an effort to decrease nosocomial infection, the UK
hasinstituted a policy banning white coats and apparel beneath the elbow forhealth care workers.
Although clothing can become contaminated withbacteria, there is no evidence that white coats are
dirtier than other clothingworn by health care providers. This study compared colony counts of cuffs
andlapels of controls, vs. non-white coat wearing clinicians, as well as whitecoats and the clothing
under the white coats. (n= 80 for each group).Non-white coat wearers actually had as much or more
bacterial contaminationthan either controls or white coat wearers.
AWARDS: 4th place Grand Award, $500. University of the Sciences inPhiladelphia Scholarship - up to
$9,000 per year.
Congratulations Ariel!