Can ultrasound probes and coupling gel in gynaecology and obstetrics clinics be the origin of capable bacterial infections? A tertiary care hospital experience

Öz

Background: The aim was to evaluate the bacterial contamination rate of ultrasound probes and gels and the associated nosocomial infection risk. In this way, we aimed to assess whether our ultrasound probe disinfection protocols were effective in reducing the risk of hospital-wide infection. Material and Methods: Forty-eight swab samples were collected from the surfaces of transabdominal (TAP) and transvaginal ultrasound (TVP) probes and adhered to gel bottles, which were then cultured in the microbiology laboratory. In comparison, bacterial contamination of gynecology room door handles (12 swab cultures) was analyzed. These measurements were repeated every week for one month, so that each probe was cultured four times during the study period. Results: Non-pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. lugdunensis, Corynebacterium amycolatum, C. aurimucosum) common in human skin flora and the environment and two notable pathogens (Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli) were isolated from the probe cultures. Non-pathogenic organisms (S. epidermidis, S. cohnii) were isolated from gel cultures. Also, no significant differences were also found between groups in contamination rates during various patient examinations and emergencies (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Bacterial contamination was found on ultrasound probes/gels in our department. Although the majority were non-pathogenic microorganisms, two pathogenic microorganisms were also identified. Hospital staff should remember that ultrasound probes can be a tool for bacterial infection and can lead to infectious complications. Decontamination of probes with dry, nonsterile paper towels is a cheap, simple, and effective method that does not damage the device and can also reduce bacterial exposure.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• bacterial contamination gel
• methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• gynecology and obstetrics clinic ultrasound transducers

Jinekoloji kliniklerinde ultrasonografi probları ve jeli, bakteriyel enfeksiyonların kaynağı olabilir mi?: Üçüncü basamak bir hastane deneyimi

Öz

Amaç Bu çalışmanın amacı, ultrasonografi problarının (UP) ve jellerinin bakteriyel kontaminasyon oranlarını ve bunlarla ilişkili hastane enfeksiyonu riskini değerlendirmektir. Bu şekilde, hastane genelinde enfeksiyon riskini azaltmak için UP dezenfeksiyonu protokollerimizin yeterliliğinin değerlendirmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereçler ve Yöntem Transabdominal (TAP) ve transvajinal ultrason (TVP) prob yüzeyleri ve ultrasonografi jellerinden (UJ) toplam 48 sürüntü örneği alınmış ve mikrobiyoloji laboratuvarında kültüre edilmiştir. Karşılaştırma için, jinekoloji odaları kapı kollarındaki bakteriyel kontaminasyon (12 sürüntü kültürü) analiz edilmiştir. Bu ölçümler, bir ay boyunca her hafta uygulanmış ve her bir probdan, çalışma süresi boyunca 4 kez kültür alınmıştır. Bulgular: Prob kültürlerinden insan deri florasında ve çevrede yaygın olan, patojen olmayan, sekiz mikroorganizma (Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. lugdunensis, Corynebacterium amycolatum, C. aurimucosum) ve iki önemli patojen mikroorganizma (Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli) izole edildi. Metisilin dirençli staphylococcus aureus izole edilmedi. Jel kültürlerinden ise patojenik olmayan organizmalar (S. epidermidis, S. cohnii) izole edildi. Hasta muayene sayısı ve acil değerlendirme durumu açısından kontaminasyon oranlarında da gruplar arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmadı (p > 0.05). Sonuç: Hastanemizin Kadın Hastalıkları ve Doğum kliniklerinde UP ve jellerinde bakteriyel kontaminasyon tespit edildi. Çoğunlukla patojen olmayan mikroorganizmalar (S. epidermidis, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S lugdinensis) saptanmasına rağmen, patojenik iki mikroorganizma da tanımlandı (Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli). Hastane personeli, UP’lerin bakteriyel kontaminasyon için bir araç olabileceğini ve infeksiyöz komplikasyonlara yol açabileceğini unutmamalıdır. Probların kuru, steril olmayan kağıt havlu kullanılarak dekontaminasyonu, cihaza zarar vermeyen, bakteri yükünü de azaltabilen ucuz, basit ve etkili bir yöntemdir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• bakteriyel kontaminasyon jel
• metisiline dirençli Staphylococcus aureus
• jinekoloji ve doğum kliniği ultrasonografi probları

Kaynakça

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