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Reusable tourniquets for blood sampling as a source of multi-resistant organisms- a systematic review
Julia Szymczyk1, Michelle Månsson2, Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska3
1Student Scientific Club of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Introduction:
The use of reusable tourniquets is widespread around the world, and reports suggest they may be overused. Several studies have shown that reusable tourniquets can affect the spread of pathogens between patients. Based on available studies, this review aims to analyse the indirect transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens present on blood collection tourniquets, which may spread infectious diseases between patients in daily clinical practice.
Methods:
A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) protocol guidelines. The contents of PubMed, EBSCO (electronic databases), and Scopus were screened. Keywords used in the search included: "tourniquet," "cross infection," "nosocomial infection," "staphylococcus aureus," "MRO," "pathogen," "infectious disease," "anti-microbial," or a combination of these using AND or OR operators. Finally, 13 publications were included. Data were analysed both descriptively and quantitatively by calculating a balanced average for specific synthesized data.
Results:
The proportional observation based on the number sampled median was 77. The genus MRSA was the type of bacteria most commonly found: on 12% of all tested tourniquets. The amount of MRSA found on tourniquets was mean ± SD 14.6 ± 45.89. A review of studies also revealed the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci, grew Bacillus, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Conclusion:
Patient safety may be at risk due to elevated contamination rates of reusable tourniquets. The microorganisms responsible for this contamination include a variety of species, the most common being the genus Staphylococcus. For this reason, we recommend the use of disposable tourniquets.
Insights
Reusable tourniquets pose a risk of pathogen transmission, with MRSA found on 12% of tested devices. Patient safety concerns necessitate a shift towards disposable tourniquets to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Epidemiology
Background:
- Reusable tourniquets are widely used, raising concerns about potential overuse and pathogen transmission between patients.
- Studies indicate that reusable tourniquets can contribute to the spread of healthcare-associated infections.
- This review focuses on the indirect transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens via blood collection tourniquets.
Approach:
- A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
- Databases searched included PubMed, EBSCO, and Scopus using relevant keywords.
- Thirteen publications were included for descriptive and quantitative data analysis.
Key Points:
- A significant proportion of sampled tourniquets showed contamination.
- Methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA) was the most frequently detected pathogen, found on 12% of tested tourniquets.
- Other identified microorganisms included coagulase-negative staphylococci, *Bacillus*, and *Staphylococcus aureus*.
Conclusions:
- Elevated contamination rates of reusable tourniquets pose a risk to patient safety.
- The genus *Staphylococcus* is the most common contaminant.
- The use of disposable tourniquets is recommended to mitigate the risk of infectious disease transmission.
