Risk of contamination from air vents during intravenous fluid administration

The microbial effect of creating air-inlet during intravenous fluid administration in different wards of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital was studied between May and July, 1997. A total of 123 in-use (test) and 80 unused (control) infusion fluids were studied. Subjects that developed septicaemia following infusion were screened for microbial aetiology. Settle plate cultures were made in all the wards used in the study. Thirty two of in-use infusion fluids (26%) were contaminated, while contamination was not detected among the unused ones. There is a statistically significant relationship in the contamination rate of in-use bags and controls (p < 0.001). Bags with air-vents were more contaminated 27(49.1%) than those with none, five (7.4%). The difference in prevalence of contamination rate by air-vent status was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Gram positive organisms constituted the majority of agents 26(74.3%). Out of seven subjects that received contaminated fluid, four (57.1%) developed septicaemia. It is concluded that creating air-vent for introduction of additives during intravenous fluid administration provides routes of entry for micro-organisms.