Instilling a culture of cleaning: effectiveness of decontamination practices on non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs
Author(s)
Zimmerman, PA
Browne, M
Rowland, D
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2018
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background:
Sphygmomanometers and their cuffs are non-critical items that can act as a fomite for transmission of pathogens which may cause healthcare-associated infection (HAI), leading to an argument that disposable equipment improves patient safety.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to demonstrate that decontamination decreased in microbial contamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs, providing evidence to negate the need to purchase, and dispose of, single-patient-use cuffs, reducing cost and environmental impact.
Methods:
A pre–post intervention study of available sphygmomanometer cuffs and associated bedside ...
View more >Background: Sphygmomanometers and their cuffs are non-critical items that can act as a fomite for transmission of pathogens which may cause healthcare-associated infection (HAI), leading to an argument that disposable equipment improves patient safety. Aim: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that decontamination decreased in microbial contamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs, providing evidence to negate the need to purchase, and dispose of, single-patient-use cuffs, reducing cost and environmental impact. Methods: A pre–post intervention study of available sphygmomanometer cuffs and associated bedside patient monitors was conducted using a series of microbiological samples in a rural emergency department. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test analysed the effect of the decontamination intervention. To further examine the effect of the decontamination intervention, Mann–Whitney U-tests were conducted for each aspect. Findings: Contamination was significantly higher before decontamination than afterwards (Z = −5.14, U = 55.0, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.61 inner; Z = −5.05, U = 53.5, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.59 outer). Discussion: Decontamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs decreases microbial load and risk of HAI, providing evidence to negate arguments for disposable cuffs while being environmentally sensitive and supportive of a culture of patient safety and infection control.
View less >
View more >Background: Sphygmomanometers and their cuffs are non-critical items that can act as a fomite for transmission of pathogens which may cause healthcare-associated infection (HAI), leading to an argument that disposable equipment improves patient safety. Aim: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that decontamination decreased in microbial contamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs, providing evidence to negate the need to purchase, and dispose of, single-patient-use cuffs, reducing cost and environmental impact. Methods: A pre–post intervention study of available sphygmomanometer cuffs and associated bedside patient monitors was conducted using a series of microbiological samples in a rural emergency department. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test analysed the effect of the decontamination intervention. To further examine the effect of the decontamination intervention, Mann–Whitney U-tests were conducted for each aspect. Findings: Contamination was significantly higher before decontamination than afterwards (Z = −5.14, U = 55.0, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.61 inner; Z = −5.05, U = 53.5, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.59 outer). Discussion: Decontamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs decreases microbial load and risk of HAI, providing evidence to negate arguments for disposable cuffs while being environmentally sensitive and supportive of a culture of patient safety and infection control.
View less >
Journal Title
Journal of Infection Prevention
Note
This publication has been entered into Griffith Research Online as an Advanced Online Version.
Subject
Preventative health care