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Microbiological flora and nail polish: a brief report

G M Rayan1, D J Flournoy, P Schlageter

  • 1Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association
|November 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Nail polish on operating room staff and patients may harbor bacteria. This study investigated the prevalence of microbiological flora on nail polish in a clinical environment, highlighting potential infection control risks.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infection Control
  • Healthcare Epidemiology

Background:

  • Nail polish removal is recommended for operating room (OR) personnel and patients undergoing hand surgery.
  • Compliance with these recommendations is often low in many healthcare settings.
  • Concerns exist regarding nail polish as a potential vector for transmitting infectious agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of microbiological flora present on nail polish.
  • To assess the clinical relevance of nail polish in microbial transmission within a hospital setting.

Main Methods:

  • Microbiological sampling of nail polish worn by individuals in a clinical setting.
  • Culturing and identification of microorganisms found on the nail polish samples.

Main Results:

  • Analysis of collected samples revealed the presence of various microbiological flora on nail polish.
  • Specific types and prevalence of bacteria and fungi were identified.

Conclusions:

  • Nail polish can harbor significant microbiological flora in a clinical setting.
  • Findings support the recommendation for nail polish removal to mitigate infection transmission risks.
  • Further research may explore the impact of nail polish on hand hygiene efficacy.

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