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Decreasing bacterial cross-contamination with a pulsating nasal irrigation device
Mark Keen1, Philip G Chen, Peter-John Wormald
1Department of Surgery-Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology
|May 16, 2014
Summary
Nasal irrigation bottles can become contaminated, but the Sinugator device showed no cross-contamination between patients and their devices. This study assessed bacterial growth in pulsating nasal wash bottles after endoscopic sinus surgery.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Nasal irrigation is common for post-endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) patients.
- Concerns exist regarding the contamination of nasal irrigation bottles.
- The Sinugator cordless pulsating nasal wash device features a unidirectional flow design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of cross-contamination with the Sinugator pulsating nasal irrigation device.
- To compare contamination rates between the Sinugator and traditional squeeze bottles.
Main Methods:
- Eleven post-ESS patients used the Sinugator device three times daily.
- Nasal swabs and device reservoir swabs were collected for bacterial culture.
- Cultures were analyzed for organism presence at initial and follow-up visits.
Main Results:
- A 45% contamination rate was observed in the irrigation bottles.
- Common organisms cultured included coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus.
- No concomitant organisms were found in both nasal cultures and bottles for any patient.
Conclusions:
- Positive bacterial cultures were found in patients and their Sinugator bottles.
- The Sinugator device's design appears to prevent cross-contamination between patients and bottles.
- The unidirectional flow may mitigate backwash, reducing the risk of organism transfer.
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