Topical lotions utilized in outpatient rehabilitation clinics as a potential source of bacterial contamination

Soft tissue mobilization and massage requiring lotions or creams are commonly used interventions in outpatient rehabilitation clinics. For at least 50 years hand creams used in healthcare settings have been found to be contaminated by bacteria. The purpose of this study was to determine the current state of bacterial contamination of lotions used in clinics and to determine the efficacy of lotion preservatives to kill bacteria. Unopened containers of lotions were studied, along with 81 lotion containers used in 22 outpatient clinics in southeast Tennessee and northwest Georgia. Three sites on each container were sampled using sterile swabs. At a microbiology lab, bacterial growth media was inoculated and incubated. Of the 81 containers sampled, 16 supported bacterial growth (19.8%). Container threads displayed the highest contamination compared with other container locations (p < 0.01). No bacteria were found in unopened lotion containers, although when challenged with live bacterial cultures lotion preservatives did not kill bacteria tested. Enrichment cultures using lotions studied here supported the growth of several bacterial species. These findings suggest the need for standardized protocols to help reduce potential healthcare-associated infections due to use of lotions. Improved efficacy of preservatives added to lotions should be a priority.