Premium
PR54P
WHAT IS BIOFILM AND WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH SURGERY?
Author(s) -
Hadi R.,
Vickery K.,
Deva A. K.,
Charlton T. S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2009.04927_54.x
Subject(s) - biofilm , medicine , infection control , transmission (telecommunications) , intensive care medicine , infection risk , medical device , surgery , biomedical engineering , bacteria , genetics , electrical engineering , biology , engineering
Purpose: To present a review of biofilms and their significance in surgical practice. Aim: To better understand the role biofilms play in in‐vivo infection, implantable medical device infection and transmission of infections by patient‐ready instruments. Methodology: A review was of the biofilm literature was conducted using UNSW, USYD and RACS search engines. Studies were examined for a definition of biofilm and approaches to detection and removal. Subjects of particular relevance to surgical practice were considered to be the role of instrument cleaning in biofilm control and biofilm as a risk factor in viral and prion transmission and infection of implantable medical device. The standardisation of hospital cleaning protocols for medical devices is considered for biofilm control. Results: From a medical perspective, biofilms may form on living tissues such as wounds, sinuses, native heart valves. Biofilms may also infect implantable and surface medical devices such as indwelling catheters, breast implants, prosthetic joints, as well as central lines and cannulas. Biofilms may also cause inter‐patient transmission of infections through inadequate cleaning regimes of endoscopes, nasoscopes, and surgical instruments particularly cannulated and hinged. Currently there are Australian Standards for disinfection and sterilisation, but no Australian Standard for removal of biofilm. Conclusions: There needs to be an increased recognition of the role biofilms play in infections. Methods for assessment of biofilm removal need to be developed and adequate cleaning regimes implemented in the health care setting.