Reusable Tourniquets as Potential Transmitters of Infection: A Microbiological Analysis
Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant global challenge, resulting in prolonged hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Reusable medical equipment, such as tourniquets, represents a potential vector for infection transmi...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Julia Szymczyk Monika Kurpas Bartosz Krasiński Katarzyna Zorena Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska |
| author_facet | Julia Szymczyk Monika Kurpas Bartosz Krasiński Katarzyna Zorena Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska |
| author_sort | Julia Szymczyk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant global challenge, resulting in prolonged hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Reusable medical equipment, such as tourniquets, represents a potential vector for infection transmission. Despite frequent use and close contact with patients’ skin, infection control protocols often overlook these devices. This study examines microbial contamination on the surface of reusable tourniquets in both emergency department and operating theatre settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2024 in Gdansk, Poland. Samples from tourniquets used in the emergency department and the operating theatre were collected after an indefinite period, 14 days, and 28 days. Bacterial contamination on the surfaces of the tourniquets was measured using Columbia agar blood medium and expressed as colony-forming units (CFUs) per cm<sup>2</sup>. Results: Significant bacterial loads were detected on reusable tourniquets, with contamination levels varying by location and duration of use. The average number of CFU/cm<sup>2</sup> across all stages of this study was 545 CFU/cm<sup>2</sup> for the emergency department and 101 CFU/cm<sup>2</sup> for the operating theatre. Tourniquets used in the emergency department exhibited higher bacterial counts compared to those from the operating theatre, which showed a greater diversity of bacterial species. These findings underscore the need to revise infection control protocols for reusable tourniquets. Conclusion: This study provides critical data that may influence future policy changes aimed at reducing the risk of HAIs through the improved management of reusable medical devices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5cd512fcb0ff4aaeac787f1e889df203 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-5cd512fcb0ff4aaeac787f1e889df2032025-01-24T13:42:50ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113115210.3390/microorganisms13010152Reusable Tourniquets as Potential Transmitters of Infection: A Microbiological AnalysisJulia Szymczyk0Monika Kurpas1Bartosz Krasiński2Katarzyna Zorena3Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska4Division of Anaesthesiology Nursing & Intensive Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, PolandDivision of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, PolandEmergency Department, Health Care Entity Copernicus Sp. z o. o., 80-462 Gdansk, PolandDivision of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, PolandDivision of Anaesthesiology Nursing & Intensive Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, PolandIntroduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant global challenge, resulting in prolonged hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Reusable medical equipment, such as tourniquets, represents a potential vector for infection transmission. Despite frequent use and close contact with patients’ skin, infection control protocols often overlook these devices. This study examines microbial contamination on the surface of reusable tourniquets in both emergency department and operating theatre settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2024 in Gdansk, Poland. Samples from tourniquets used in the emergency department and the operating theatre were collected after an indefinite period, 14 days, and 28 days. Bacterial contamination on the surfaces of the tourniquets was measured using Columbia agar blood medium and expressed as colony-forming units (CFUs) per cm<sup>2</sup>. Results: Significant bacterial loads were detected on reusable tourniquets, with contamination levels varying by location and duration of use. The average number of CFU/cm<sup>2</sup> across all stages of this study was 545 CFU/cm<sup>2</sup> for the emergency department and 101 CFU/cm<sup>2</sup> for the operating theatre. Tourniquets used in the emergency department exhibited higher bacterial counts compared to those from the operating theatre, which showed a greater diversity of bacterial species. These findings underscore the need to revise infection control protocols for reusable tourniquets. Conclusion: This study provides critical data that may influence future policy changes aimed at reducing the risk of HAIs through the improved management of reusable medical devices.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/152healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)reusable tourniquetsbacterial contaminationmedical equipment disinfectiondevice-associated healthcare infections (DA-HCIs)hygiene in healthcare |
| spellingShingle | Julia Szymczyk Monika Kurpas Bartosz Krasiński Katarzyna Zorena Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska Reusable Tourniquets as Potential Transmitters of Infection: A Microbiological Analysis Microorganisms healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) reusable tourniquets bacterial contamination medical equipment disinfection device-associated healthcare infections (DA-HCIs) hygiene in healthcare |
| title | Reusable Tourniquets as Potential Transmitters of Infection: A Microbiological Analysis |
| title_full | Reusable Tourniquets as Potential Transmitters of Infection: A Microbiological Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Reusable Tourniquets as Potential Transmitters of Infection: A Microbiological Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reusable Tourniquets as Potential Transmitters of Infection: A Microbiological Analysis |
| title_short | Reusable Tourniquets as Potential Transmitters of Infection: A Microbiological Analysis |
| title_sort | reusable tourniquets as potential transmitters of infection a microbiological analysis |
| topic | healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) reusable tourniquets bacterial contamination medical equipment disinfection device-associated healthcare infections (DA-HCIs) hygiene in healthcare |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/152 |
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