Potential risk of cross-infection during peripheral-venous access by contamination of tourniquets.
We found that a high proportion of reusable tourniquets are contaminated with blood and bacterial pathogens. Their use contravenes hospital cross-infection control protocols and we therefore recommend the use of disposable tourniquets.
Golder
M
M
Chan
C L
CL
O'Shea
S
S
Corbett
K
K
Chrystie
I L
IL
French
G
G
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D012307:Risk Factors; D014111:Tourniquets / Q000382:microbiology*