LEVY Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital has warned the public against wearing bum shorts and crop tops that expose more skin to hospital surfaces.

The hospital says although hospitals are disinfected regularly, surfaces used by thousands of people every day and can get contaminated between cleaning cycles.

In a Facebook post, the hospital said wearing attire that provides adequate body coverage reduces direct skin contact and helps protect against accidental splashes or exposure in busy clinical areas.

“Don’t come wearing bum shorts, yochitilamo. Apologise. Olo crop top na vesti ku hospital napapata! Why Appropriate Clothing Matters in a Healthcare Facility: Infection Prevention and Hygiene. Your Outfit Could Expose You to More Than You Think! Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH) cares for thousands of patients every day, including over 1,000 outpatients and inpatients receiving specialized care in Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Intensive Care, and other clinical departments. In such an environment, every patient, visitor, student, and member of staff has a role to play in maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment,” read the statement.

“One important but often overlooked aspect of infection prevention is appropriate dressing. Wearing revealing clothing such as bum shorts and crop tops exposes more skin to hospital chairs, benches, examination couches, handrails, elevators, and other high-touch surfaces that can become contaminated between cleaning cycles. Although hospitals are cleaned and disinfected regularly, these surfaces are used by thousands of people every day, every hour, every minute. While clothing alone cannot prevent infection, wearing attire that provides adequate body coverage creates an additional barrier between your skin and shared surfaces, reducing direct skin contact and helping protect against accidental splashes or exposure in busy clinical areas. Protect Yourself by: 1. Washing or sanitizing your hands regularly. 2. Avoiding touching your face. 3. Observing proper cough and respiratory etiquette. 4. Following healthcare workers’ instructions. 5. Wearing clean, appropriate clothing that provides adequate body coverage. Dress for health, Cover up, stay clean, and help keep LMUTH safe for everyone”.