A study of microbial colonisation of orthopaedic tourniquets.
Ann R Coll Surg Engl
; 91(2): 131-4, 2009 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19317936
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Tourniquets are employed widely in orthopaedic surgery. The use of the same tourniquet on a repetitive basis without a standard protocol for cleaning may be a source of cross-infection. This study examines the contamination of the tourniquets in our institution. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Agar plates were used to take samples from 20 tourniquets employed in orthopaedic procedures. Four sites on each tourniquet were cultured and incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h.RESULTS:
All sampled tourniquets were contaminated with colony counts varying from 9 to > 385. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. were the most commonly grown organisms from the tourniquets (96%). Some tourniquets had growths of important pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas spp., and S. aureus. On cleaning five tourniquets with Clinell (detergent and disinfectant) wipes (GAMA Healthcare Ltd, London, UK), there was a 99.2% reduction in contamination of the tourniquets 5 min after cleaning.CONCLUSIONS:
In addition to the manufacturers' guidelines, we recommend the cleaning of tourniquets with a disinfectant wipe before every case.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Bacteria
/
Tourniquets
/
Cross Infection
/
Equipment Contamination
/
Orthopedic Procedures
/
Disinfectants
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Ann R Coll Surg Engl
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom