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Defining unnecessary disinfection procedures for single-dose and multiple-dose vials
T Buckley1, S M Dudley, L G Donowitz
1University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
Summary
Disinfecting single-dose vials is unnecessary, as 99% were sterile without it. Alcohol-only disinfection is effective for multiple-dose vials, making povidone-iodine redundant.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infection Control
- Pharmaceutical Compounding
Background:
- Conflicting literature exists regarding the necessity of disinfecting single-use vials before fluid aspiration.
- Practices for disinfecting multiple-dose vial stoppers vary significantly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the necessity of alcohol disinfection for single-dose vial stoppers.
- To compare the efficacy of povidone-iodine and alcohol versus alcohol-only disinfection for multiple-dose vial stoppers prior to needle penetration.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial cultures were performed on 100 single-dose vial stoppers.
- Efficacy of disinfection for multiple-dose vials was assessed by culturing 87 vial stoppers disinfected with povidone-iodine and alcohol, and 100 vial stoppers disinfected with alcohol only.
Main Results:
- 99% of single-dose vial stoppers cultured were sterile, indicating no need for disinfection.
- 95% of multiple-dose vial stoppers disinfected with both povidone-iodine and alcohol were sterile.
- 100% of multiple-dose vial stoppers disinfected with alcohol only were sterile.
Conclusions:
- Disinfection procedures for single-dose vial stoppers are not necessary.
- Alcohol-only disinfection is an effective method for multiple-dose vial stoppers.