Investigation of single-use versus reusable infectious waste containers as potential sources of microbial contamination.
BACKGROUND
Laws require that infectious waste be segregated from noninfectious waste. Companies certified to dispose of infectious waste offer both reusable and single-use containers. The focus of this study was to determine if there would be a microbiologic advantage to the use of one type of container over another in a burn hospital.


METHODS
Monthly swab cultures were taken from the tops of >250 infectious waste containers during 2 years. Bacteria and fungi were identified. In a substudy swab cultures were taken from an area of reusable tops before and after cleaning to evaluate the efficacy of cleaning on both the number and type of microbes present. Infection rates for acute patients were compared before and after control measures were instituted to decrease microbial transfer from infectious waste containers to patients.


RESULTS
Cultures taken from reusable boxes when received from the container company showed that >99% were contaminated with bacteria or fungi; most were normal environmental or skin flora, but some cultures showed microorganisms that can be potentially harmful to patients with compromised immunity. Wiping the lids with a phenolic disinfectant decreased both the total microbial load (P <.001) and the variety of microbes present (P <.001). In contrast, only 10% of the incoming single-use boxes showed any contamination. Infection rates dropped from 5.8 to 3.2 per 100 burn patients (P <.05) after the institution of cleaning and other changes made to decrease the possibility of microbial transfer from the infectious waste boxes to the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Upon delivery, significantly fewer single-use infectious waste boxes were contaminated than reusable ones (P <.001). Extra infection control measures were needed when reusable infectious waste boxes were used in areas housing patients with compromised immunity. Facilities need be aware of the possible contamination of reusable infectious waste containers with microorganisms capable of causing nosocomial infections in patients who are compromised.
Neely
Alice N
AN
Shriners Burns Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Maley
Matthew P
MP
Taylor
Gary L
GL
D002053:Burn Units; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States
D017744:Medical Waste Disposal