Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
Abstract
CONTEXT: Multidose injection vials (MDVs) are prone to bacterial contamination, and their use has
been reported to be a potential source of infections.
AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and common practises of nursing staff
regarding the use of MDVs and its microbial contamination rate.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A pilot study was conducted in a super‑specialty hospital from June to
December 2016.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Information about knowledge and common practises of 100 nursing
staff posted in various Intensive Care Units (ICUs) with respect to the usage of single and MDVs,
respectively, was obtained and assessed. About 40 in‑use multidose injection vials containing
some remnants were collected from different ICUs. The volume of 1 ml content of each of these
vials was inoculated into a tube containing 15 ml thioglycolate broth and incubated at 37°C for
10 days. The broth was visually examined every day and subcultured onto blood, chocolate, and
Sabouraud Dextrose agar plates on alternate days within 10 days or any time that the appearance
seemed turbid. The microbial isolates thus obtained were identified using standard guidelines
and recorded.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics were used.
RESULTS: The study group members had sufficient knowledge about various aspects of handling
single and MDVs, respectively, such as hand hygiene, disinfection, checking of vial labels, and expiry
date. Low hand hygiene compliance rate of 55% was observed in all ICUs visited during this study.
The contamination rate of MDVs injection vials was 25% with Coagulase‑negative Staphylococcus
spp. being the most common isolate.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of MDVs is associated with the risk of contamination and nosocomial
outbreaks of life‑threatening bloodstream infections. Healthcare professionals must strictly
adhere to basic infection control practises as per standard guidelines to minimize the incidence of
hospital‑acquired infections.
Keywords
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