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Contamination of Irrigation Solutions in an Operating Theatre

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Britt Marie Andersson
Affiliation:
Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Microbiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
Lars Lidgren*
Affiliation:
Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Microbiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
Claës Schalén
Affiliation:
Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Microbiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
Anita Steen
Affiliation:
Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Microbiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
*
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital, S-221 85 LUND, Sweden

Abstract

Sterile irrigation solutions, used in open systems in a conventional orthopedic operating theatre, were examined for bacterial contamination. At the end of 13 of 21 operations (duration ≥ one hour) the solution tested displayed the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and/or diphtheroid rods and/or other species. It is concluded that irrigation by solutions, kept in open bowls during an operation, is a potential source of contamination.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1984

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