Strike-through contamination in saturated sterile dressings: a clinical analysis

This multisite study examined the risk of strike-through contamination of 4" x 4" gauze sponges using a shortcut method of saturating sterile sponges directly on their wrappers. Sterile gauze sponges were saturated directly on their wrappers on hospital over-bed tables of postoperative general surgical patients. Cultures were taken at 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 minutes after saturation to ascertain whether strike-through contamination occurred. Saturated sponges showed significant microorganism growth when compared to expected zero microorganisms at all sampling times following saturation. Although microorganisms identified in strike-through contamination were not microbiologically or pathogenically threatening, the basic principle of asepsis was violated. There was no significant difference in strike-through contamination between sponges saturated on coated wrappers and sponges saturated on uncoated wrappers. Clinicians should be aware that coated wrappers do not provide a moisture-proof barrier against strike-through contamination. The findings suggest the shortcut method should not be used for saturating sponges.