Evaluation of donor arm disinfection techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To validate a standardized optimal national procedure for donor arm disinfection.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
McDonald
C P
CP
National Blood Service, North London, Colindale, London, UK. carl.mcdonald@nbs.nhs.uk
Lowe
P
P
Roy
A
A
Robbins
S
S
Hartley
S
S
Harrison
J F
JF
Slopecki
A
A
Verlander
N
N
Barbara
J A
JA
D019840:2-Propanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D001132:Arm / Q000382:microbiology*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000517:prevention & control; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001782:Blood Donors; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D004202:Disinfectants; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D019840:2-Propanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine