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Floor and environmental contamination during glove disposal
K M Munoz-Gutierrez1, R A Canales1, K A Reynolds1
1Environment, Exposure Science and Risk Assessment Center (ESRAC), University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA.
The Journal of Hospital Infection
|October 26, 2018
Summary
Improper disposal of medical gloves can contaminate nearby surfaces. Healthcare workers should use proper glove disposal techniques to minimize pathogen transmission and environmental contamination.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control and Prevention
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- Used personal protective equipment (PPE), including medical gloves, poses a risk of environmental contamination during doffing and disposal.
- Understanding potential contamination pathways is crucial for preventing pathogen transmission in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the extent of site and floor contamination resulting from the improper disposal of medical gloves.
- To assess the effectiveness of bacteriophage and fluorescent dye as tracers for contamination during glove disposal.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen healthcare workers (HCWs) disposed of bacteriophage and chemical dye-inoculated gloves into a wastebasket.
- Environmental sampling assessed bacteriophage concentrations and visual inspection identified fluorescent dye stains at various distances from disposal.
Main Results:
- The highest concentrations of bacteriophage were found closest to the disposal point (<0.30 m).
- Bacteriophage levels were significantly higher within 0.61 m compared to distances greater than 0.61 m.
- Both tracers indicated contamination, with no significant difference between them, suggesting their utility in training.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare workers' improper glove disposal practices can lead to contamination of surrounding surfaces and floors.
- Implementing standardized, industry-wide policies, comprehensive training, and education are essential to minimize pathogen transmission through proper PPE disposal.
Keywords:
Biological tracersEnvironmental contaminationFloor contaminationGlove disposalHospitalPersonal protective equipmentMore Related Videos
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