Incidence of bacterial contamination in infusion set needles

Bacterial contamination of automated MRI contrast injectors in clinical routine

Aim: To quantify the frequency of bacterial contamination of the injected contrast agent/saline solution by an automated contrast injection system, and to evaluate whether usage of a novel tube system can reduce it. Methods: For bacterial contamination quantification two identical automated piston pump MRI contrast injectors were used in combination with a standard tube system. 3-5 ml of the contrast agent/saline solution was collected from the system prior to its connection to the patients' venous cannula in 104 consecutive patients. To test, whether a novel tube system reduces contamination, a tube system with shielded screw connections was used with the same contrast injectors and contrast agent/saline samples were collected in further 101 patients. Specimens were microbiologically analyzed. Frequencies of contamination were compared using Fisher exact test. Results: With the standard tube system, bacterial contamination was observed in 5.8% (6 out of 104 specimens). With the novel tube system, contamination was observed in 2.0% (2 out of 101 specimens, p=0.280). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common germ (5 cases) followed by Micrococcus luteus (2 cases) and Oligella ureolytica (1 case). Conclusion: Bacterial contaminations of MRI contrast injectors occurred in a non-negligible frequency especially with S. epidermidis. A trend towards reduced bacterial contamination was seen when a novel tube system with shielded screw connections was used.

Incorrect aseptic techniques in medicine preparation and recommendations for safer practices: a systematic review

Objective

Many patient deaths have been reported because of administration of contaminated intravenous medicines due to incorrect aseptic techniques. Our aim was to review the literature for (1) incorrect practices in aseptic drug preparation and administration and (2) recommendations for safer practices in hospitals.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed covering 2007-2015. Studies were included if they concerned aseptic medicine preparation and administration in hospitals by different healthcare professionals, assessed incorrect practices and made recommendations for safer aseptic preparation and administration.

Results

26 studies were included of which 19 were original articles. 12 of the studies concerned description of incorrect practices that led to contamination. The studies reported 11 incorrect practices that increased the risk of contamination of parenteral medicines. The most reported incorrect practices were multiple use of phials and syringes (2/12 studies) and lack of overall disinfection during the aseptic preparation and administration (3/12 studies). 22 practices were recommended to avoid contamination, which were classified into six categories: equipment and medicines (7); disinfection (6); working environment (3); storing (3); catheter care (2) and quality of prepared medicines (1). The results indicate that pharmacists prepared syringes with less contamination than nurses because of the pharmacist's aseptic skills and environmental aspects in pharmacy units.

Conclusions

The review discusses many appropriate and enhanced practices in aseptic drug preparation and administration. As the change for the better in contamination rates of administered medicines seems to be challenging to achieve in hospitals, better and possibly international procedures for safe parenteral practices need to be developed.