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Evaluation of donor arm disinfection techniques
Author(s) -
McDonald C. P.,
Lowe P.,
Roy A.,
Robbins S.,
Hartley S.,
Harrison J. F.,
Slopecki A.,
Verlander N.,
Barbara J. A. J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1046/j.1423-0410.2001.00029.x
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , isopropyl alcohol , chemistry , organic chemistry
Background and Objective To validate a standardized optimal national procedure for donor arm disinfection. Materials and Methods A direct swabbing and plating technique was used to enumerate bacteria present on the arm pre‐ and postdisinfection. Twelve donor arm disinfection techniques were evaluated. Results The Medi‐Flex Adapted method, consisting of a two‐stage process with an initial application of isopropyl alcohol followed by tincture of iodine, produced the best arm disinfection. A percentage reduction in bacterial counts of 99·79% (logarithmic reduction of 2·67) was obtained. Postdisinfection, 70% of donors had bacterial counts of zero, and 98% had counts of 10 or less. Conclusion The Medi‐Flex disinfection method offers the English National Blood Service a validated, optimal ‘best practice’ disinfection technique and should contribute significantly to the reduction in risk of transmission of bacteria by transfusion.