Adhesive tape and intravascular-catheter-associated infections

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Healthcare-Associated Infections

Background:

• Adhesive tape is commonly used with intravascular catheters.
• Prolonged contact raises theoretical concerns for local infections.
• Pathogenic bacteria on tape could be a source of healthcare-associated infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bacterial colonization of adhesive tape used in hospitals.
• To assess the potential of adhesive tape as a source of pathogenic bacteria.
• To evaluate a simple method for reducing infection risk associated with tape.

Main Methods:

• Collection of adhesive tape specimens from a hospital setting.
• Microbiological analysis of tape specimens to identify bacterial colonization.
• Comparison of bacterial growth from outer and inner tape layers.

Main Results:

• 74% of collected tape specimens showed colonization by pathogenic bacteria.
• Significant bacterial growth was found in only 5% of inner tape layers after discarding the outer layer.
• Outer tape layers demonstrated higher rates of bacterial contamination.

Conclusions:

• Hospital adhesive tape can be a reservoir for pathogenic bacteria.
• Discarding the outer layer of partially used tape rolls may mitigate infection risks.
• Implementing this simple practice could enhance patient safety in healthcare settings.