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Prevention of Radioactive Indicator and Viral Particle Transmission with an Ointment Barrier

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Mehmet C. Oz
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York
John E. Newbold
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Gerald M. Lemole*
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, The Medical Center of Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware
*
Suite 205, 4745 Stanton-Ogletown Road, Newark, DE 19713-2070

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the efficacy of a lanolin-based gel in preventing radioactive particle and viral penetration.

Design:

Paired, stacked filter discs were held in a stainless steel support, and the gel was applied manually to the upper surface of the upper filter. Indicator solution containing either radioactive viral particles (3H-labeled simian virus 40 or 3H-labeled woodchuck hepatitis virus) or 20 u1 or 100 u1 of 32P-labeled radioactive compounds of much lower molecular weight then were applied to the upper filter. The filter discs were separated after 30 minutes, and the lower disc was examined for radioactivity in a liquid scintillation counter.

Results:

Transmission of radioactive particles was statistically significantly reduced by the application of the ointment on the upper filter (from 6.7 ± 0.1 × 105 counts per minute [cpm] to 88 ± 38 cpm). Transmission of both labeled viral particles also was reduced to a similar degree.

Conclusions:

Application of protective ointment to the filters significantly reduces transmission of radioactive viral particles and smaller radioactive compounds through filter discs. Use of this ointment may offer similar mechanical protection against the transmission of viruses between patient and healthcare provider. (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1991;12:93-95.)

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1991

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