Bacterial Contamination in Operating Room Splash Basins
Author Information
Author(s): Karoline Stavang Michalsen, Linda Helen Helgeland, Grethe Myklestul Dåvøy, Marit Hegg Reime, Fred-Ivan Kvam, Richard Gray
Primary Institution: Oslo University Hospital
Hypothesis
Do splash basins used for rinsing instruments during surgery become contaminated with bacteria?
Conclusion
Splash basins become contaminated with bacteria during surgery, and using them with sterile water is not recommended.
Supporting Evidence
- Bacterial growth was found in 44% of the final water samples.
- 41% of samples from the thoracic surgical department showed bacterial growth.
- 47% of samples from the neurosurgical department showed bacterial growth.
- The most common bacteria found were coagulase-negative staphylococci and Micrococcus luteus.
Takeaway
When doctors rinse their tools in splash basins during surgery, those basins can get dirty with bacteria, which might make patients sick.
Methodology
This was a prospective observational pilot study that collected and analyzed water samples from splash basins during surgeries.
Potential Biases
Contamination of samples may have occurred during sample preparation.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and potential contamination during sample preparation.
Participant Demographics
Participants included patients undergoing elective surgeries in thoracic and neurosurgical departments.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.760
Statistical Significance
p>0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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