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Bacterial contamination of surgical gloves by water droplets spilt after scrubbing

J S Heal1, A W Blom, D Titcomb

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Bristol, Winford Unit, Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK. jimbo@gnarly99.freeserve.co.uk

The Journal of Hospital Infection
|February 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Surgical glove packaging is permeable to bacteria, and water droplets from surgeons' hands can carry pathogens. This contamination poses a risk for wound infections in orthopaedic surgery, necessitating alternative infection control strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Surgical Infection Prevention
  • Orthopaedic Surgery

Background:

  • Wound infections and deep sepsis are significant risks in orthopaedic surgery, despite current infection control protocols.
  • Existing measures like ultra-clean air, antibiotics, and protective wear reduce but do not eliminate infection rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for bacterial contamination of surgical gloves through water droplets from surgeons' hands.
  • To assess the permeability of sterile surgical glove packaging to Gram-positive bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing water droplets from surgeons' arms after scrubbing with povidone-iodine.
  • Testing the permeability of various sterile surgical glove paper packaging to Gram-positive bacteria.

Main Results:

  • Water droplets from surgeons' arms contained environmental bacteria, including micrococcus, coliforms, and coagulase-negative staphylococci.
  • The paper packaging of tested sterile surgical gloves was found to be permeable to Gram-positive bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Accidental contamination of surgical gloves via water droplets is a potential source of surgical site infections.
  • Current glove packaging may not provide an adequate barrier against microbial penetration.
  • Alternative recommendations for preventing surgical glove contamination are suggested.

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