Analysis of strike-through contamination in saturated sterile dressings

The method of saturating gauze sponges directly in their wrapper was tested to determine strike-through contamination. Contamination occurred in 100% of the uncoated-wrapper sponges, regardless of exposure to Staphylococcus epidermidis or Escherichia coli. Among coated-wrapper sponges, 80% exposed to Staphylococcus epidermidis and 20% exposed to Escherichia coli demonstrated strike-through contamination. Coated-wrapper sponges had a significantly lower rate of contamination than uncoated-wrapper sponges when exposed to Escherichia coli. Occurrence of contamination of all sponges was significantly higher from Staphylococcus epidermidis. The findings render the popular practice of saturating gauze sponges in their wrapper unacceptable.