Floor and environmental contamination during glove disposal. Issue 3 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Munoz-Gutierrez, K.M.; Canales, R.A.; Reynolds, K.A.; Verhougstraete, M.P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 101:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 347
• Page End: 353
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Glove disposal -- Environmental contamination -- Personal protective equipment -- Biological tracers -- Floor contamination -- Hospital; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2018.10.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Background: Evidence suggests that doffing and possibly disposal of used personal protective equipment (PPE) can lead to environmental contamination. Aim: To ascertain the potential for site and floor contamination when medical gloves are inappropriately disposed. Methods: Fifteen healthcare workers (HCWs) disposed of gloves inoculated with bacteriophage and a chemical dye into a wastebasket, located 1.22 m away. Following each trial, designated sample areas were visually inspected with a blacklight for fluorescent dye stains and swabbed with a 3M Letheen Broth sponge to quantify the bacteriophage. Findings: The area closest to the participant (<0.30 m) had the highest bacteriophage concentrations (geomean: 6.9 × 10 3 pfu/100 cm 2 ; range: 8.07 to 3.93 × 10 7 pfu/100 cm 2 ). Bacteriophage concentrations were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in areas ≤0.61 m compared to >0.61 m from the HCWs. Although the farthest distances (1.22–1.52 m) resulted in 14% bacteriophage- and 4% fluorescent dye-positive occurrences, there was no significant difference ( P = 0.069) between the tracers. The bacteriophage and chemical dye indicate highest environmental contamination nearest the HCWs and both tracers could be appropriate for PPE disposal training. Conclusion: HCWs use gloves every workday and potentially could contaminate surrounding surfaces and floors, during improper disposal practices. Therefore, proper disposal techniques are required to minimize pathogen transmission by establishing industry-wide policies, adequate training, and education to HCWs.