Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-wxhwt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-13T19:00:25.732Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The potential for contamination of intravenous infusions by airborne skin scales

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

C. J. Holmes  and
M. C. Allwood
C. J. Holmes
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy, The University, Manchester 13
M. C. Allwood
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy, The University, Manchester 13
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Skin scales may be attracted onto the surface of administration set connector needles before insertion into infusion containers. Viable microorganisms associated with skin scales may therefore gain access to the infusion by this route. A technique is described for creating an environment of airborne skin scales. This environment is used to examine the attraction of skin scales onto the surface of administration set connector needles and three other materials. After exposure, skin scales are found adhering to the surface of each material examined. The attraction of skin scales onto administration set connector needles is dependent on the time of exposure to the environment. Results suggest that intravenous infusions can be contaminated by this route when the infusion and administration set is assembled.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 79 , Issue 3 , December 1977 , pp. 417 - 423
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

References

REFERENCES

Arnold, T. R. & Hepler, C. D. (1971). Bacterial contamination of intravenous fluid opened in unsterile air. American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy 28, 614–19.Google ScholarPubMed
Clark, R. P. (1974). Skin scales among airborne particles. Journal of Hygiene 72, 47–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clark, R. P. & Cox, R. N. (1973). Dispersal of bacteria from the human body surface. In Airborne Transmission and Airborne Infection (ed. Hers, J. F. Ph. and Winkler, K. C.), p. 413. Utrecht: Oesthoek Publishing Company.Google Scholar
D'arcy, P. F. & Woodside, W. (1973). Drug-additives – a potential source of bacterial contamination of infusion fluids? Lancet ii, 96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davies, R. R. & Noble, W. C. (1962). Dispersal of bacteria on desquamated skin. Lancet ii, 1295–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Halprin, K. M. (1972). Epidermal ‘turnover’ times: a re-examination. British Journal of Dermatology 86, 14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hansen, J. S. & Hepler, C. D. (1973). Contamination of intravenous solutions by airborne microbes. American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy 30, 326–31.Google ScholarPubMed
Holmes, C. J. & Allwood, M. C. (1976). Intravenous infusion bottle plugs as a source of microbial contamination. Journal of Hygiene 77, 315–20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jansen, L. H., Hojyo-Tomoko, M. T. & Kligman, A. M. (1974). Improved fluorescence staining techniques for estimating turnover time of the human stratum corneum. British Journal of Dermatology 90, 9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kundsin, R. B., Walter, M. D. & Scott, J. A. (1973). In-use testing of sterility of intravenous solutions in plastic containers. Surgery 73, 778–81.Google ScholarPubMed
Lees, J. & Brighton, W. D. (1972). Simulated human skin scales. Journal of Hygiene 70, 559–64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maki, D. G. (1976). Sepsis arising from extrinsic contamination of the infusion and measures for control. In Microbiological Hazards of Infusion Therapy (ed. Phillips, I., Meers, P. D. and D'Arcy, P. F.), p. 99. Lancaster, England: MTP Press Ltd.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Magi, D. G., Goldman, D. A. & Rhame, F. S. (1973). Infection control in intravenous therapy. Annals of Internal Medicine 79, 867–87.Google Scholar
May, K. R. & Harper, G. J. (1957). The efficiency of various liquid impingers in bacterial aerosols. British Journal of Industrial Medicine 14, 287–97.Google ScholarPubMed
May, K. R. & Pomeroy, N. P. (1973). Bacterial dispersion from the body surface. In Airborne Transmission and Airborne Infection (ed. Hers, J. F. Ph. and Winkler, K. C.), p. 426. Utrecht: Oosthoek Publishing Company.Google Scholar
Meers, P. D. (1976). Intravenous infusions: the potential for and source of contamination. In Microbiological Hazards of Infusion Therapy (ed. Phillips, I., Meers, P. D. & D'Arcy, P. F.), p. 59. Lancaster, England: MTP Press Ltd.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Noble, W. C. & Davies, R. R. (1965). Studies on the dispersal of staphylococci. Journal of Clinical Pathology 18, 16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Percival, A. K. (1966). Contamination of parenteral solutions during administration. Medical Journal of Australia 2, 954.CrossRefGoogle Scholar