In vitro survival of skin flora in heparin locks and needleless valve infusion devices.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent to which two types of infusion devices, the heparin lock and a needleless valve device, allowed the persistence of inoculated microorganisms.


METHODS
Experiment.


METHODS
Clinical microbiology laboratory.


METHODS
Bacterial counts in infusion devices.


METHODS
Five of each type of device were inoculated with approximately 10(5) colony-forming units of a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterobacter aerogenes and tested for growth at seven time intervals, from 10 minutes to 72 hours after inoculation.


RESULTS
Both strains of bacteria were present in each device at every time interval tested, including 72 hours after inoculation.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacteria introduced into a heparin lock or valve device may be isolated for prolonged periods of time. This suggests that if such devices are contaminated during use, they may be a potential source of infection. The risk of infection should be one major consideration in risk and benefit deliberations when choosing new products.
Larson
E L
EL
Georgetown University School of Nursing, Washington, DC 20007.
Cheng
G
G
Choo
J T
JT
Merz
W
W
D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000254:growth & development*; D009339:Needles; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000254:growth & development*; D013997:Time Factors
D006493:Heparin