Is there a risk for bacterial transmission from surgical marker pens?. Issue 2 (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brinskelle, P.; Koenig, E.; Sendlhofer, G.; Baumhackl, K.A.; Winter, R.; Sawetz, I.; Kamolz, L.P.; Steinmetz, I.; Friedl, H.; Lumenta, D.B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 106:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 254
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Surgical site identification -- Markers -- Bacterial contamination -- Sonication -- Colonization -- Multi-drug resistance; 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.2020.08.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Markers for preoperative skin marking are used several times and bear a risk of transmitting bacteria. Bacterial contamination was assessed by sonication and culture. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed for facultative pathogens to assess multi-drug resistance (MDR). An accelerated failure time model was applied to assess the statistical relationship between the bacterial contamination and the filling status of markers. Of 45 markers, 13 had a colony count <10 cfu/mL and 32 had counts from 10 to 12, 500 cfu/mL. Three markers were colonized by Staphylococcus aureus . No MDR bacteria were found. We recommend single use of markers to reduce transmission risk.