BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To validate a standardized optimal national procedure for donor arm disinfection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A direct swabbing and plating technique was used to enumerate bacteria present on the arm pre- and postdisinfection. Twelve donor arm disinfection techniques were evaluated. RESULTS: The Medi-Flex Adapted method, consisting of a two-stage process with an initial application of isopropyl alcohol followed by tincture of iodine, produced the best arm disinfection. A percentage reduction in bacterial counts of 99.79% (logarithmic reduction of 2.67) was obtained. Postdisinfection, 70% of donors had bacterial counts of zero, and 98% had counts of 10 or less. CONCLUSION: The Medi-Flex disinfection method offers the English National Blood Service a validated, optimal 'best practice' disinfection technique and should contribute significantly to the reduction in risk of transmission of bacteria by transfusion.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To validate a standardized optimal national procedure for donor arm disinfection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A direct swabbing and plating technique was used to enumerate bacteria present on the arm pre- and postdisinfection. Twelve donor arm disinfection techniques were evaluated. RESULTS: The Medi-Flex Adapted method, consisting of a two-stage process with an initial application of isopropyl alcohol followed by tincture of iodine, produced the best arm disinfection. A percentage reduction in bacterial counts of 99.79% (logarithmic reduction of 2.67) was obtained. Postdisinfection, 70% of donors had bacterial counts of zero, and 98% had counts of 10 or less. CONCLUSION: The Medi-Flex disinfection method offers the English National Blood Service a validated, optimal 'best practice' disinfection technique and should contribute significantly to the reduction in risk of transmission of bacteria by transfusion.
Authors: Anna Maria Leo; Maria Monica Salvadego; Maria Grazia Piva; Graziano Ruffato; Sara Valverde; Ernesto Trabuio; Francesco Antico; Gianluca Gessoni Journal: Blood Transfus Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 3.443
Authors: Florian Bihl; Damiano Castelli; Francesco Marincola; Roger Y Dodd; Christian Brander Journal: J Transl Med Date: 2007-06-06 Impact factor: 5.531