Acinetobacter baumannii and MRSA Contamination on Reusable Phlebotomy Tourniquets

Abstract

DESIGN: Reusable tourniquets (n=200) were collected after being used for one day in the outpatient blood collection center (n=100) or during morning blood collection rounds on inpatient wards (n=100). Tourniquets were cultured and growth was screened for A. baumannii and S. aureus. A. baumannii isolates were identified using colonial morphology, oxidase, and GNI+ card on Vitek Legacy. S. aureus isolates were identified and screened for MRSA using colonial morphology, catalase, Staphaurex, and Oxacillin screening agar. RESULTS: Each outpatient tourniquet was used on an average of 33 patients and each inpatient tourniquet was used on an average of 11 patients. The overall contamination rate was 9% (18/200). A. baumannii was isolated from 11% (11/100) of the outpatient tourniquets and 3% (3/100) of the inpatient tourniquets. Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus was isolated from 2% (2/100) of the outpatient tourniquets and 3% (3/100) of the inpatient tourniquets. No MRSA was isolated. One outpatient tourniquet had both A. baumannii and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. CONCLUSIONS: Reusable tourniquets could serve as a potential reservoir for bacterial pathogens.

Blood pressure cuffs as a vector for transmission of multi‐resistant organisms: Colonisation rates and effects of disinfection

“…Healthcare‐associated acquisition of multi‐resistant organisms (MRO) including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus (VRE) has been associated with increased nosocomial infections . Within the hospital environment, inanimate objects including inadequately disinfected blood pressure (BP) cuffs serve as reservoirs for MROs, resulting in the transmission of MROs to patients . Reducing potential reservoirs and acquisition of pathogens is thus a key measure in preventing nosocomial infections.…”

Reusable venesection tourniquets: a potential source of hospital transmission of multiresistant organisms

“…However, the required frequency of cleaning is not specified, nor whether this would prevent transmission of MROs to patients. Previous studies have indicated varying rates of MRO colonisation of reusable tourniquets, and differ based on the sensitivity of the culture method used 17 . We performed this study to determine the prevalence of MRO colonisation of reusable venesection tourniquets in a Sydney teaching hospital using a sensitive enrichment method.…”

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination of phlebotomy tourniquets and faucets

“…The most important means of nosocomial spread is through carriage of S.aureus on the hands, scalp and anterior nares of healthcare workers [1]. However, fomites are being increasingly recognized as sources of nosocomial infections [2][3][4]. Disconcertingly high rates (81%) of MRSA in clinical specimens with S.aureus have been reported in Sri Lanka [5].…”

“…It also depends on the cleaning and infection control measures of the institution [6]. In other countries, phlebotomy tourniquets and faucets have been identified as important reservoirs of MRSA [2][3][4]6,7]. Although causality between contaminated tourniquets and increased MRSA infection has not been established, the potential for cross-contamination cannot be ignored.…”