Glass particulate adulterated in single dose ampoules: A patient safety concern.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the amount, size and characteristics of glass particulate contamination inside single-dose ampoules. BACKGROUND: Glass particulate contamination in an ampoule when opened can cause adverse effects on critically ill patients. DESIGN: Crossectional descriptive study. METHODS: Eight hundred 10-ml sterile water ampoules were inspected for glass particulate contamination upon opening. Ampoules were opened by nurses following their usual practices. Glass particulates were inspected by stereomicroscope. Further examination was conducted using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determine the size and amount of the particulates in the 20 positive and 20 negative samples from stereomicroscope inspection. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist was used for preparing this manuscript. RESULTS: Seven hundred and ninety-eight ampoules were inspected, as 2 ampoules were broken. Glass particulates were detected in 65% of the ampoules (519/798). The size of glass particulates from 20 positive and 20 negative samples, ranged from 8 to 172 microns and 8 to 102 microns, respectively. The glass particulates were detected most at sized ≤ 50 microns in both positive and negative samples with the mean number of 47.8 ± 20.4 and 27.8 ± 21.8 particulates, respectively. CONCLUSION: Glass particulate contamination occurred while opening medication in glass ampoules. A safety tool is needed to prevent glass particulates from contaminating injection treatments. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Many critically ill patients and neonates need intravenous injections for treatment. Almost all medication solutions are stored in glass ampoules. Nursing personnel should be aware while drawing medication solutions from glass ampoules. Using filtered needles and leaning the ampoules can help reduce the number of glass particulates that pass into the solutions being drawn into the syringes.

Contamination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on toothbrushes used with mechanically ventilated patients: A cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on used toothbrushes of mechanically ventilated patients. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting toothbrushes used with mechanically ventilated patients. The total bacterial count on each toothbrush was assessed by culturing on Trypticase soy agar (TSA). Gram stain and biochemical testing were used to identify bacterial species. Antibiotic susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria was assessed by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. RESULTS: Thirty-five toothbrushes (97%) had bacterial contamination, 27 toothbrushes had at least two bacterial species, and 13 toothbrushes harboured antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Klebsiella spp. (21%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (18%). Five isolates of A. baumannii, six isolates of K. pneumoniae, and two isolates of Enterobacter cloacae were multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Four isolates of K. pneumoniae were identified as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing strains, and two isolates of P. aeruginosa were extensively drug-resistant (XDR). The average total bacterial count was 104-105 CFU/toothbrush head. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria were detected on toothbrushes. Therefore, practice of toothbrush care should be reconsidered in associated to maintaining the oral hygiene of mechanically ventilated patients to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Status of nosocomial tuberculosis transmission prevention in hospitals in Thailand.

A national survey was conducted during July to September 2009 to determine tuberculosis (TB) prevention activities, problems, and support needed of Thai hospitals. Ninety-seven percent of hospitals established TB isolation policy, 96.3% provided guidelines for caring of TB patients, 95% and 91.8% provided prevention of TB transmission and environmental management guideline, and 92.6% established screening system for TB in the outpatient department (OPD). A half of hospitals had problems with isolation rooms and difficulties in screening TB cases in the OPD. Support needed included consultation on structure and ventilation systems, personnel training, national TB prevention, and TB screening guideline. Strengthening TB prevention activities, providing expert consultation, and national guidelines may help hospitals improve their TB prevention activities.

What is the use? An international look at reuse of single-use medical devices.

Reuse of single-use devices is common in most countries worldwide. We provide an overview of the issue from an international perspective. In many developing and transitional countries reuse of cheap single-use devices (needles, syringes, surgical gloves) is common leading to large numbers of unsafe interventions, specifically injections and, as a consequence, infection with hepatitis B, C or HIV. There are various reasons for reuse: limited resources, insufficient knowledge of healthcare workers and the belief of patients that injection is more beneficial than oral medication. Reuse of cheap single-use devices should cease and both medical staff and the public should be informed about potential safety risks associated with injection. In developed countries, reuse of single-use items is less common but may include expensive technical products. Reuse is regulated in many countries (e.g. US, Canada, some European countries) demanding ethical and legal considerations, high standards of reprocessing and training of staff, risk assessment, management and validation of reprocessing. Well regulated reprocessing can decrease the number of single-use devices reprocessed. In developing as well as developed countries, a decision to reprocess single-use devices should only be made after a critical reflection of advantages and disadvantages.

Using a collaborative to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious nosocomial infection, leading to high mortality and high costs of treatment in developed and limited-resource countries. A collaborative quality improvement (QI) project was conducted in 18 secondary and tertiary care hospitals in Thailand to address the problem. METHODS: The project, conducted between February 2004 and May 2005, entailed three face-to-face meetings--two national workshops and two regional workshops (each conducted twice). Education on VAP prevention, including guidelines and the ventilator bundle, was conducted for intensive care unit staff and all relevant personnel. The collaborative's effectiveness was assessed by VAP rate, a self-administered questionnaire, and face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Within 12 months, the pooled VAP rate decreased from 13.3 to 8.3 per 1,000 ventilator-days. The costs of antibiotic treatment for VAP decreased by more than one half. More than 80% of interviewed participants reported that the QI method could be applied effectively in their organization. DISCUSSION: VAP surveillance during this project revealed a gradual reduction of the VAP rate. The project's relative overall success appears to reflect, as reported elsewhere, a well-organized program, support from hospital administrators, and workshop leaders' presentation of proven QI methods and clinical interventions.