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Contamination of Blood Pressure Cuffs by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and Preventive Measures

Overview
Journal Ir J Med Sci
Specialty General Medicine
Date 2013 May 4
PMID 23639972
Citations 6
Authors
M Matsuo
S Oie
H Furukawa
Affiliations
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Abstract

Background: Although blood pressure cuffs are commonly used and shared in medical facilities, their routine disinfection is performed infrequently.

Aims: We investigated the contamination of blood pressure cuffs by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Methods: The MRSA level on the inner side (the surface in contact with patients' skin) of blood pressure cuffs used in the wards and outpatient clinics of a university hospital (733 beds) was determined using the gauze and swab wiping methods.

Results: Using the gauze wiping method (n = 35), the MRSA contamination rate was 31.4 %, and the MRSA contamination level was 1,702.6 ± 9,996.1 (0-58, 320) colony-forming units (cfu)/cuff. No MRSA was detected on blood pressure cuffs after washing (n = 30) or wiping with 80 vol% ethanol (n = 18).

Conclusions: Blood pressure cuffs are frequently contaminated by MRSA.

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