Instilling a culture of cleaning: Effectiveness of decontamination practices on non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs.
J Infect Prev
; 19(6): 294-299, 2018 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38617881
ABSTRACT
Background:
Sphygmomanometers and their cuffs are non-critical items that can act as a fomite for transmission of pathogens which may cause healthcare-associated infection (HAI), leading to an argument that disposable equipment improves patient safety.Aim:
The aim of this study was to demonstrate that decontamination decreased in microbial contamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs, providing evidence to negate the need to purchase, and dispose of, single-patient-use cuffs, reducing cost and environmental impact.Methods:
A pre-post intervention study of available sphygmomanometer cuffs and associated bedside patient monitors was conducted using a series of microbiological samples in a rural emergency department. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test analysed the effect of the decontamination intervention. To further examine the effect of the decontamination intervention, Mann-Whitney U-tests were conducted for each aspect.Findings:
Contamination was significantly higher before decontamination than afterwards (Z = -5.14, U = 55.0, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.61 inner; Z = -5.05, U = 53.5, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.59 outer).Discussion:
Decontamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs decreases microbial load and risk of HAI, providing evidence to negate arguments for disposable cuffs while being environmentally sensitive and supportive of a culture of patient safety and infection control.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Infect Prev
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido