Strike-through Contamination in Saturated Sterile Dressings

Deborah M. Popovich, Doris Alexander, Maude Rittman, Christopher Martorella and Letitia Jackson
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Deborah M. Popovich: University of Florida
Doris Alexander: University of Florida
Maude Rittman: Veteran's Administration Medical Center
Christopher Martorella: Alachua General Hospital
Letitia Jackson: North Florida Regional Medical Center

Clinical Nursing Research, 1995, vol. 4, issue 2, 195-207

Abstract: This multisite study examined the risk of strike-through contamination of 4" x 4" gauze sponges using a shortcut method of saturating sterile sponges directly on their wrappers. Sterile gauze sponges were saturated directly on their wrappers on hospital over-bed tables of postoperative general surgical patients. Cultures were taken at 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 minutes after saturation to ascertain whether strike-through contamination occurred Saturated sponges showed significant microorganism growth when compared to expected zero microorganisms at all sampling times following saturation Although microorganisms identified in strike-through contamination were not microbiologically orpathogenically threatening, the basic principle of asepsis was violated There was no significant difference in strike-through contamination between sponges saturated on coated wrappers and sponges saturated on uncoated wrappers. Clinicians should be aware that coated wrappers do not provide a moisture-proof barrier against strike-through contamination. The findings suggest the shortcut method should not be used for saturating sponges.

Date: 1995
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:clnure:v:4:y:1995:i:2:p:195-207

DOI: 10.1177/105477389500400206

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