Gloves Contamination During Revision Surgery for Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

BACKGROUND: The use of double gloving has become a standard practice for joint replacement surgeons. However, since there are limited data on how gloves are contaminated during both primary and revision arthroplasty, no precise protocol exists to direct surgeons on when, or if, to change their gloves. The goals of this preliminary study were to evaluate the contamination of gloves during total joint arthroplasties (TJAs). METHODS: We included 25 infected cases and 10 primaries, which were performed at the same institution using the same surgical protocol from 3 fellowship trained surgeons. Samples were taken every 20 minutes from the start of the surgery until the joint was irrigated. Procedural steps were noted. To evaluate cross-contamination during infected cases, we sampled gloves using blood agar plates. In primary cases, culture swabs of anterior chamfer cuts and sterile instruments on the back table were used as negative controls. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used as an adjunct to identify low virulence bacteria. RESULTS: In the primary cases, all samples were found culture negative but 3 (8.1%) of the 37 samples were found to have a low, unidentifiable bacterial mass via NGS testing. In the infected cases, 41 (59.4%) of the 69 samples yielded positive microbial results. The positivity rate was higher in the samples collected after the arthrotomy was performed (70%) compared to samples collected before the arthrotomy was performed (40%), and the surgeon was only dissecting superficial layers (P = .502). CONCLUSION: Gloves seem to be a common source of cross-contamination in the intraoperative field during revision TJA. Due to the higher percent of positive samples following the opening of the joint, we hypothesize that the arthrotomy allows for the spread of bacteria across the operative site. While further investigation is necessary to formulate a precise protocol for the changing of gloves during TJA, it may be beneficial to perform a thorough irrigation of the joint and change of the gloves immediately following arthrotomy.

Influence of closed glove exchange on bacterial contamination of the hands of the surgical team.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if closed glove exchange (CGE) increases hand contamination. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Surgical teams participating in 65 individual surgical procedures were included, resulting in 200 individual enrollments. METHODS: At the completion of surgery, gloves were removed and hands were swabbed. The inside of the gown cuff was swabbed. Each participant regloved, using a closed gloving technique. The new gloves were removed, and hands were swabbed for culture a second time. Swabs underwent standard bacterial culture. RESULTS: Before glove exchange, or baseline, contamination was found on 17/200 dominant hands and 13/200 nondominant hands. After performing CGE, contamination was found on 14/200 and 15/200 dominant and nondominant hands, respectively. No difference was detected between the number of CFUs cultured from a surgeon's hands before CGE and the number of CFUs cultured from a surgeon's hands post-CGE (one sided sign test, p = .61). Twelve (12) different bacterial species were identified, the most common were Staphylococcus spp. (97/154; 63%). CONCLUSION: Closed glove exchange did not increase bacterial hand contamination over baseline levels. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: We found no evidence to support discontinuing CGE.

Large hospital-wide outbreak of Paenibacillus spp pseudobacteremia associated with contaminated nonsterile gloves.

We report a large, hospital-wide outbreak of pseudobacteremia by Paenibacillus spp. In total, 139 patients presented at least 1 positive blood culture during a 13-month period. Microbiological experiments indicated that contaminated nonsterile gloves were associated with the pseudobacteremia episodes. The outbreak was resolved by discontinuing the use of the involved brand.

An intraoperative assessment of bacterial contamination on surgical helmets and gloves during arthroplasty surgeries.

INTRODUCTION: Infection is a devasting complication after primary and revision arthroplasty. Therefore, identifying potential sources of infection can help to reduce infection rates. The aim of this study was to identify the impact and potential risk of contamination for glows and surgical helmets during arthroplasty procedures. METHODS: Surveillance cultures were used to detect contamination of the glow interface during the surgery and the surgical helmets immediately at the end of the surgery. The cultures were taken from 49 arthroplasty procedures from the surgeon as well as the assisting surgeon. RESULTS: In total, 196 cultures were taken. 31 (15.8%) of them showed a contamination. 12 (13.5%) of 98 cultures taken from the surgical helmets were positive, while 18 (18.3%) of 96 cultures taken from the gloves showed a contamination. DISCUSSION: The study showed that during arthroplasty procedures, surgical helmets and gloves were frequently contaminated with bacteria. In 20 of 49 (40.8%) arthroplasty surgeries, either the surgical helmet or the gloves showed a contamination. Surgeons should be aware that they might be a source for infection during arthroplasty surgeries.

Pumping infusions with a syringe may cause contamination of the fluid in the syringe.

Clinicians often perform pumping of infusions with a syringe (PIS) to quickly deliver fluid or blood transfusion to patients, especially during an emergency. Despite the efforts of the clinicians, critically ill patients are prone to acquire catheter-related bloodstream infections. Although clinicians have reported the possibility of PIS contamination, no group of researchers has studied nor confirmed this possibility. Here, we examined whether PIS can cause bacterial contamination of the fluid inside the syringes, using microbiological tests, including the analysis Escherichia coli DH-5 alpha growth by measuring the absorbance at OD600. We confirmed that contamination of fluid in the barrel was almost proportional to the applied volume of bacterial fluid. Aliquots of DH-5 alpha artificially applied on the surface of the gloved hand of an examiner, the plunger or the inner side of the barrel of a syringe could permeate inside the syringe. Furthermore, disinfection with ethanol before PIS almost successfully prevented bacterial multiplication. Our findings suggest that PIS can cause intraluminal contamination when performed with unsterilized hands, and that previous disinfection with ethanol can effectively prevent PIS-induced contamination. These results highlight the risk of PIS-induced contamination and the importance of disinfection in the daily clinical practice.

Comparison of rectal swab, glove tip, and participant-collected stool techniques for gut microbiome sampling.

BACKGROUND: Studies of the gut microbiome are becoming increasingly important. Such studies require stool collections that can be processed or frozen in a timely manner so as not to alter the microbial content. Due to the logistical difficulties of home-based stool collection, there has been a challenge in selecting the appropriate sample collection technique and comparing results from different microbiome studies. Thus, we compared stool collection and two alternative clinic-based fecal microbiome collection techniques, including a newer glove-based collection method. RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled 22 adult men from our prostate cancer screening cohort SABOR (San Antonio Biomarkers of Risk for prostate cancer) in San Antonio, TX, from 8/2018 to 4/2019. A rectal swab and glove tip sample were collected from each participant during a one-time visit to our clinics. A single stool sample was collected at the participant's home. DNA was isolated from the fecal material and 16 s rRNA sequencing of the V1-V2 and V3-V4 regions was performed. We found the gut microbiome to be similar in richness and evenness, noting no differences in alpha diversity among the collection methods. The stool collection method, which remains the gold-standard method for the gut microbiome, proved to have different community composition compared to swab and glove tip techniques (p< 0.001) as measured by Bray-Curtis and unifrac distances. There were no significant differences in between the swab and glove tip samples with regard to beta diversity (p> 0.05). Despite differences between home-based stool and office-based fecal collection methods, we noted that the distance metrics for the three methods cluster by participant indicating within-person similarities. Additionally, no taxa differed among the methods in a Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis comparing all-against-all sampling methods. CONCLUSION: The glove tip method provides similar gut microbiome results as rectal swab and stool microbiome collection techniques. The addition of a new office-based collection technique could help easy and practical implementation of gut microbiome research studies and clinical practice.

A microbiological assessment of sterile surgical helmet systems using particle counts and culture plates: recommendations for safe use whilst scrubbing.

BACKGROUND: Infection occurs in 2-4% of arthroplasty cases, and identifying potential sources of infection can help to reduce infection rates. The aim of this study was to identify the impact and potential for the contamination of hands and gowns whilst scrubbing using sterile surgical helmet systems (SSHSs). METHODS: A colony-forming unit (cfu) is a pathogenic particle of 0.5-5 µm. Standard arthroplasty hoods and SSHSs, with and without the fan switched on, were tested for a 3-min exposure (to represent scrubbing time) on three subjects and a mannequin with concurrent particle counts and culture plates. RESULTS: All SSHSs were positive for Gram-positive cocci, with a mean colony count of 410 cfu/m2. Background counts were lower for laminar flow areas [mean 0.7 particles/m3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0-1.4] than scrub areas (mean 131.5 particles/m3; 95% CI 123.5-137.9; P=0.0003). However, neither grew any bacteria with a 2-min exposure. The background count increased 3.7 times with the fan switched on (total P=0.004, cfu P=0.047), and all helmets had positive cultures (mean 36 cfu/m2). There were no positive cultures with the standard arthroplasty hood or the SSHS with the fan switched off. In laminar flow areas, all cultures were negative and particle counts were low. CONCLUSIONS: Sterile gloves and gowns can be contaminated when scrubbing with the SSHS fan switched on. It is recommended that the fan should remain switched off when scrubbing until the hood and gown are in place, ideally in a laminar flow environment.

Glove change to reduce the risk of surgical site infection or prosthetic joint infection in arthroplasty surgeries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Microbiological contamination of surgical gloves occurs during surgery, which may warrant glove change during orthopaedic surgeries. However, no systematic review of this topic has previously been published. Therefore, this review evaluated whether changing gloves during arthroplasty surgeries reduces the risk of surgical site infection/prosthetic joint infection (SSI/PJI) and the optimal frequency of glove change. METHODS: Search terms such as surgical gloves, surgical site infections, prosthesis-related infections, arthroplasty were used, including Medical Subject Headings terms. Of the 89 articles screened, 12 articles were included for qualitative synthesis. RESULTS: No studies measured the direct effect of glove change on PJI rate. Therefore, microbiological contamination and perforation rate of gloves were used as surrogate outcomes. Eight studies evaluated microbiological contamination of surgical gloves, with rates ranging from 3.4 to 30%. Five contamination studies recommended changing gloves after draping and before handling implants. One randomized controlled trial also recommended changing gloves at least once an hour regardless of surgical stages. Five studies recommended changing gloves to prevent perforation, with recommendations ranging from 20 to 90 min. Furthermore, one study advised change of gloves after resection of bone and before implantation. CONCLUSION: As microbiological contamination rates of gloves increase with duration of surgery, glove changes are recommended at least once per hour. Furthermore, gloves should be changed after draping, before handling implants and if visible perforation is seen to reduce contamination. Due to the lack of studies with SSI/PJI as primary outcomes, we cannot draw a definitive conclusion regarding the effectiveness of changing gloves in reducing the risk of SSI/PJI in arthroplasty.

Prevalence and quantification of contamination of knitted cotton outer gloves during hip and knee arthroplasty surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Knitted cotton outer gloves offer protection against surgical glove perforation and provide improved grip on instruments. These gloves absorb blood and other fluids during surgery, and may therefore also accumulate contaminating bacteria. To date, there is no published data on microbial contamination of such gloves during surgery. METHODS: Knitted cotton outer gloves used in primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty from two Swiss hospitals were analysed by quantitative bacteriology. Samples were subjected to sonication and vortexing, followed by membrane filtration of the sonicate. Membranes were incubated under aerobic and anaerobic culture conditions, respectively, for 21 days. Total microbial load for each pair of gloves was determined by colony-forming units (CFU) count. Strain identification was performed with MALDI-TOF. RESULTS: A total of 43 pairs of gloves were collected from continuous series of surgeries. Under aerobic culture conditions, total CFU counts ranged 0-1103, 25 (58%) samples remaining sterile, and 4 (9%) yielding > 100 CFU. Under anaerobic culture conditions, total CFU counts ranged 0-3579, 22 (51%) samples remaining sterile, 6 (14%) yielding > 100 CFU. The only covariate significantly associated with the level of contamination was the provider hospital (p < 0.0001 for aerobic and p = 0.007 for anaerobic cultures). Strain identification revealed only skin commensals, mainly coagulase-negative staphylococci and Propionibacterium spp. CONCLUSION: While contamination of surgical latex gloves is a well-known issue, no study has examined so far contamination of knitted cotton outer gloves. No or very low microbial contamination could be identified in the majority of the knitted cotton outer gloves assayed. However, a relevant proportion showed contamination far higher than estimated minimal thresholds for implant-associated infection. Clinical relevance of these findings remains to be established.

Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus from dry surface biofilm (DSB) via different types of gloves.

BACKGROUND: Pathogens can survive for extended periods when incorporated into biofilm on dry hospital surfaces (ie, dry-surface biofilm, DSB). Bacteria within biofilm are protected from desiccation and have increased tolerance to cleaning agents and disinfectants. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that gloved hands of healthcare personnel (HCP) become contaminated with DSB bacteria and hence may transmit bacteria associated with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). METHOD: Staphylococcus aureus DSB was grown in vitro on coupons in a bioreactor over 12 days with periodic nutrition interspersed with long periods of dehydration. Each coupon had ~107 DSB bacterial cells. Transmission was tested with nitrile, latex, and surgical gloves by gripping DSB-covered coupons then pressing finger tips onto a sterile horse blood agar surface for up to 19 consecutive touches and counting the number of colony-forming units (CFU) transferred. Coupons were immersed in 5% neutral detergent to simulate cleaning, and the experiment was repeated. RESULTS: Bacterial cells were readily transmitted by all 3 types of gloves commonly used by HCP. Surprisingly, sufficient S. aureus to cause infection were transferred from 1 DSB touch up to 19 consecutive touches. Also, 6 times more bacteria were transferred by nitrile and surgical gloves than to latex gloves (P <.001). Treating the DSB with 5% neutral detergent increased the transmission rate of DSB bacteria 10-fold. CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus aureus incorporated into environmental DSB and covered by extracellular polymeric substances readily contaminates gloved hands and can be transferred to another surface. These results confirm the possibility that DSB contributes to HAI acquisition.

Exploring bacterial growth and recolonization after preoperative hand disinfection and surgery between operating room nurses and non-health care workers: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: To prevent cross infection the surgical team perform preoperative hand disinfection before dressed in surgical gowns and gloves. Preoperative hand disinfection does not make hands sterile and the surgical glove cuff end has been regarded as a weak link, since it is not a liquid-proof interface. The aims were to investigate if there were differences in bacterial growth and recolonization of hands between operating room nurses and non-health care workers as well as to investigate if bacterial growth existed at the surgical glove cuff end during surgery. METHODS: This pilot project was conducted as an exploratory comparative clinical trial. Bacterial cultures were taken from the glove and gown interface and at three sites of the hands of 12 operating room nurses and 13 non-health care workers controls directly after preoperative hand disinfection and again after wearing surgical gloves and gowns. Colony forming units were analysed with Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Sign Ranks test comparing repeated measurements. Categorical variables were evaluated with chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Operating room nurses compared to non-health care workers had significant higher bacterial growth at two of three culture sites after surgical hand disinfection. Both groups had higher recolonization at one of the three culture sites after wearing surgical gloves. There were no differences between the groups in total colony forming units, that is, all sampling sites. Five out of 12 of the operating room nurses had bacterial growth at the glove cuff end and of those, four had the same bacteria at the glove cuff end as found in the cultures from the hands. Bacteria isolated from the glove cuff were P. acnes, S. warneri, S. epidermidis and Micrococcus species, the CFU/mL ranged from 10 to 40. CONCLUSIONS: There were differences in bacterial growth and re-colonization between the groups but this was inconclusive. However, bacterial growth exists at the glove cuff and gown interface, further investigation in larger study is needed, to build on these promising, but preliminary, findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration was performed prospectively at Research web (FOU in Sweden, 117,971) 14/01/2013, and retrospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02359708 ). 01/27/2015.

Chlorhexidine-coated surgical gloves influence the bacterial flora of hands over a period of 3 hours.

Background: The risk of SSI increases in the presence of foreign materials and may be caused by organisms with low pathogenicity, such as skin flora derived from hands of surgical team members in the event of a glove breach. Previously, we were able to demonstrate that a novel antimicrobial surgical glove coated chlorhexidine-digluconate as the active ingredient on its inner surface was able to suppress surgeons' hand flora during operative procedures by a magnitude of 1.7 log10 cfu/mL. Because of the clinical design of that study, we were not able to measure the full magnitude of the possible antibacterial suppression effect of antimicrobial gloves over a full 3 h period. Methods: The experimental procedure followed the method for assessment of the 3-h effects of a surgical hand rub's efficacy to reduce the release of hand flora as described in the European Norm EN 12791. Healthy volunteers tested either an antimicrobial surgical glove or non-antimicrobial surgical latex gloves in a standardized laboratory-based experiment over a wear time of 3 h. Results: Wearing antimicrobial surgical glove after a surgical hand rub with 60% (v/v) n-propanol resulted in the highest 3-h reduction factor of 2.67 log10. Non-antimicrobial surgical gloves demonstrated significantly lower (p ≤ 0.01) 3-h reduction factors at 1.96 log10 and 1.68 log10, respectively. Antibacterial surgical gloves are able to maintain a sustainable bacterial reduction on finger tips in a magnitude of almost 3 log10 (log10 2.67 cfu) over 3 h wear time. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that wear of an antibacterial surgical glove coated with chlorhexidine-digluconate is able to suppress resident hand flora significantly over a period of 3-h.

Glove Perforation in Orthopaedics: Probability of Tearing Gloves During High-Risk Events in Trauma Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of glove perforation during common maneuvers or events in trauma-related orthopaedic surgical procedures. METHODS: Four investigators executed 6 high-risk maneuvers in a simulated laboratory setting. Alternative techniques were also performed for most maneuvers. Glove integrity was examined by 2 standard methods of fluid leak testing. The rates of perforation were compared between techniques using χ and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: Investigators were only able to identify 14.3% of perforations. Cleaning drill bit flutes by hand had the highest overall tear rate (85%). Catching a glove along the guide wire when passing a cannulated drill bit resulted in a 50% perforation rate. Catching a glove around a rotating drill shaft had a tear rate of 40%. Palpating the end of a flexible nail cut with a wire cutter had a significantly higher perforation rate than a nail cut with a proprietary, nail-specific tool (35% vs. 5%, P = 0.022). Blind digital fracture reduction had a tear rate that was not statistically different than directly visualizing the reduction (20% vs. 15%, P = 0.5). Inserting screws while stabilizing the threads with one's fingers resulted in a perforation rate of 15%. CONCLUSIONS: Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware that microperforation of surgical gloves often goes undetected and should consider modifying or using alternative techniques when performing certain surgical maneuvers. The results of this study can be used by orthopaedic and surgical first assist training programs to promote safe surgical practice.

Disinfection of artificially contaminated gloved hands reduces transmission of Staphylococcus epidermidis to catheter valves.

Disinfection of gloved hands is advocated increasingly in situations where visibly unsoiled gloves are used during multiple clinical activities on the same patient. As there are no data demonstrating that such practice attributes to lower bacterial transfer during clinical care, a standardized experimental study was conducted. Gloved hands touched chicken breasts contaminated with Staphylococcus epidermidis with or without disinfection before touching sterile catheter valves. Contaminated gloves transferred 5.18 log10 colony-forming units (cfu) S. epidermidis to the catheter valves. Disinfection of contaminated gloves significantly reduced the numbers transferred to 0.78 log10 cfu. Disinfection of gloved hands may reduce the risk of transmission.

Break Scrub to Take That Phone Call?

BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons reports that 60% of the hundreds of thousands of surgical site infections occurring annually are preventable. The practice of surgeons taking phone calls while remaining sterile in the operating field is often accomplished by interposing a sterile disposable towel between the phone and their glove. After completing the call, surgeons resume operating. The purpose of our study was to test the conceptual idea of whether bacteria transmit from an inanimate object, such as a telephone, to the gloves of a surgeon through a sterile disposable towel. STUDY DESIGN: Glo Germ (Glo Germ Co), an ultraviolet light-enhanced particle powder sized to mimic bacteria, was placed on an inanimate surface and held with a sterile disposable operating room towel covering a sterile surgical glove. The glove was then inspected for Glo Germ using an ultraviolet light. Additionally, 18 operating room telephones were cultured and then held with a Sterile Disposable OR Towel (Medline Industries Inc) covering a sterile surgical glove. The surgical gloves were then cultured to determine if bacteria had transmitted from the telephone through the towel and onto the sterile glove. RESULTS: The Glo Germ powder readily transmitted through the towel to the gloves. Median colony-forming units (CFU) on the cultured telephones for the 17 samples was 10, ranging from 1 to 35 CFUs. Of these 17 samples, 47% had transmission from the telephone to the glove, which was significantly greater than 0% (95% CI 26% to 69%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sterile disposable operating room towels do not provide an effective barrier between bacteria present on operating room telephones and the otherwise sterile gloves of a surgeon.

Avaliação da integridade de luvas cirúrgicas em um hospital oncológico do interior paulista / Evaluation of the integrity of surgical gloves in an oncological hospital in the state of São Paulo

Introdução: a utilização de luvas cirúrgicas estéreis é uma estratégia fundamental para a prevenção de infecção do sítio cirúrgico e para a proteção da equipe cirúrgica. Entretanto é comum a ocorrência de perfurações de luvas durante os procedimentos cirúrgicos as quais, em sua maioria, não são percebidas pelos profissionais. Objetivos: testar a associação entre a ocorrência de perfuração de luvas cirúrgicas e o número de cirurgiões em campo, o tempo de duração da cirurgia, o tipo de cirurgia, o tipo de abordagem cirúrgica e a especialidade cirúrgica. Materiais e Métodos: trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal realizado num hospital especializado em oncologia do interior paulista. A população do estudo foi composta por 3.966 luvas utilizadas em 359 cirurgias realizadas no referido hospital, no período de 01 de janeiro a 28 de fevereiro de 2018. A avaliação da integridade das luvas cirúrgicas foi realizada por meio de análise visual e da insuflação de líquido, conforme a norma EN 455-1. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e pela técnica de regressão logística multivariada, utilizando-se o programa estatístico IBM SPSS Statistics versão 21. Resultados: Das 359 cirurgias analisadas, 145 (40,4%) cirurgias apresentaram luvas perfuradas. Das 3.966 luvas coletadas, 254 (6,4%) apresentaram perfuração. Do total de perfurações identificadas, 163 (64,2%) ocorreram na mão esquerda, atingiram o dedo indicador 94 (37,0%). As varáveis associadas à perfuração de luvas identificadas no modelo final foram cirurgias com tempo de duração acima de 120 minutos (OR: 3,06; IC 95%: 1,52 - 6,14) e cirurgias realizadas pelas especialidades da Ortopedia (OR: 4,40; IC95%: 2,36 - 8,20), do Tórax (OR: 3,28; IC95%: 1,75 - 6,17), da Urologia (OR: 2,97; IC95%: 1,53 - 5,76) e do Digestivo Baixo (OR: 2,35; IC95%: 1,22 - 4,54). Ressalta-se que as cirurgias realizadas por vídeo se constituíram num fator de proteção (OR: 0,35; IC95%: 0,22 - 0,56). Conclusão: o presente estudo confirmou a associação entre a perfuração de luvas e tempo de duração da cirurgia acima de 120 minutos e especialidades cirúrgica, além disso, as cirurgias realizadas por vídeo se constituíram como um fator de proteção. Acredita-se que os resultados obtidos poderão subsidiar a proposição de medidas de prevenção e consequentemente contribuir para a segurança dos pacientes e dos profissionais da área da saúde

Introduction: the use of sterile surgical gloves is a fundamental strategy for the prevention of infection of the surgical site and for the protection of the surgical team. However, perforated gloves are common during surgical procedures which, for the most part, are not perceived by professionals. Objective: to test the association between the occurrence of surgical glove perforation and the number of surgeons in the surgery, the duration of the surgery, the type of surgery, the type of surgical approach and the surgical specialty. Materials and Methods: this is a crosssectional study conducted at a specialized hospital in oncology in the state of São Paulo. The study population consisted of 3.966 gloves used in 359 surgeries performed at the referred hospital, from January 1 to February 28, 2018. The evaluation of surgical glove integrity was performed through visual analysis and fluid insufflation, in accordance with EN 455-1. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the multivariate logistic regression technique using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 21 statistical program. Results: of the 359 surgeries analyzed, 145 (40,4%) surgeries had perforated gloves. Of the 3.966 gloves collected, 254 (6,4%) presented perforation. Of the total number of perforations identified, 163 (64,2%) occurred in the left hand, reaching the index finger 94 (37,0%). The variables associated with the perforation of gloves identified in the final model were surgeries with duration time over 120 minutes (OR: 3,06; 95% CI: 1,52 - 6,14) and surgeries performed by Orthopedics specialties (OR: 4,40; 95% CI: 2,36 - 8,20), Thorax (OR: 3.28; 95% CI:1.75 - 6.17), Urology (OR: 2,97; 95% CI: 1,53 - 5,76) and the Low Digestive (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1,22 - 4,54). It should be emphasized that the surgeries performed by video were constituted as a protection factor (OR: 0,35; 95% CI: 0,22 - 0,56). Conclusion: the present study confirmed the association between the perforation of gloves and the duration of surgery over 120 minutes and surgical specialties, besides that the surgeries performed by video were constituted as a protection factor. It is believed that the results obtained may support the proposal of preventive measures and consequently contribute to the safety of patients and health professionals

Burkholderia stabilis outbreak associated with contaminated commercially-available washing gloves, Switzerland, May 2015 to August 2016.

We describe an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis associated with contaminated washing gloves, a commercially available Class I medical device. Triggered by an increase in Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) bacteremias and the detection of BCC in unopened packages of washing gloves, an ad hoc national outbreak committee comprising representatives of a public health organisation, a regulatory agency, and an expert association convened and commissioned an outbreak investigation. The investigation included retrospective case finding across Switzerland and whole genome sequencing (WGS) of isolates from cases and gloves. The investigation revealed that BCC were detected in clinical samples of 46 cases aged 17 to 91 years (33% females) from nine institutions between May 2015 and August 2016. Twenty-two isolates from case patients and 16 from washing gloves underwent WGS. All available outbreak isolates clustered within a span of < 19 differing alleles, while 13 unrelated clinical isolates differed by > 1,500 alleles. This BCC outbreak was rapidly identified, communicated, investigated and halted by an ad hoc collaboration of multiple stakeholders. WGS served as useful tool for confirming the source of the outbreak. This outbreak also highlights current regulatory limitations regarding Class I medical devices and the usefulness of a nationally coordinated outbreak response.

Cross Contamination: Are Hospital Gloves Reservoirs for Nosocomial Infections?

Use of disposable nonsterile gloves in the hospital setting is second only to proper hand washing in reducing contamination during patient contact. Because proper handwashing is not consistently practiced, added emphasis on glove use is warranted. There is a growing body of evidence that glove boxes and dispensers available to healthcare workers are contaminated by daily exposure to environmental organisms. This finding, in conjunction with new and emerging antibiotic-resistant bacteria, poses a threat to patients and healthcare workers alike. A newly designed glove dispenser may reduce contamination of disposable gloves. The authors investigated contamination of nonsterile examination gloves in an Emergency Department setting according to the type of dispenser used to access gloves. A statistically significant difference existed between the number of bacterial colonies and the type of dispenser: the downward-facing glove dispenser had a lower number of bacteria on the gloves. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of gloves contaminated between the two types of glove dispensers. The study demonstrated that contamination of disposable gloves existed. Additional research using a larger sample size would validate a difference in the contamination of disposable gloves using outward or downward glove dispensers.

Risk factors of cardiac device infection: Glove contamination during device procedures.

BACKGROUND: Infections in cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) constitute a serious complication. We sought to identify contamination of gloves before handling the device in primary and replacement CIED procedures. METHODS: Two groups of 30 patients underwent primary CIED implantation or replacement. Before the device entered the surgical field, surgeon and assistant imprinted their outer gloves on aerobe and anaerobe agar plates, and a wound swab was performed. Samples were cultured, and the presence of bacteria was identified, counted as the number of colony forming units, and characterized to the level of genus and species. RESULTS: Samples from 40 (67%) procedures revealed bacteria on surgeons' or assistants' gloves. Contamination occurred in 80% of replacements and 67% of primary implantations (risk difference, 13%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.8 to 35.5). Contamination of surgeons' and assistants' gloves occurred in 55% and 44% of procedures, respectively. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) occurred in 52%, and Propionibacterium spp (PS) occurred in 84% of positive cases. For every 15 minutes of procedure time, colony levels increased by 7.4% (95% CI, 1.4%-13.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Contamination of gloves is common during CIED procedures before handling the device. Therefore, devices are often handled with contaminated gloves. The most prevalent bacteria were PS and CNS, which are associated with clinical CIED infections. Changing outer gloves before handling the device might improve sterile state and lower infection risk.