title: Microbial contamination of nebulization solution and its measures.
abstract: We evaluated the microbial contamination of nebulization solutions in medication cups from a total of 76 ultrasonic nebulizers in use in 10 hospitals. In addition, an interview survey was given to nurses to evaluate the disinfection methods of these ultrasonic nebulizers. Of a total of 76 nebulization solution samples, 11 (14.5%) were contaminated with 10-10(2) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml and 9 (11.8%) with 10(3)-10(5) CFU/ml. The major contaminants were glucose non-fermentative bacilli such as Burkholderia cepacia, CDC gr.IV C-2, and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. Comparison of microbial contamination between the frequencies of disinfection showed a significantly lower number of contaminated samples when the cups were disinfected once daily than when disinfected once at intervals of 2-7 d (p=0.00037). In addition, comparison between the presence and absence of preservatives contained in the nebulization solution showed a significantly lower number of contaminated samples in the presence, rather than in the absence, of preservatives (p=0.00001). These results show that disinfection of ultrasonic nebulizers at 24-h intervals is desirable. In particular, when nebulization solutions not containing preservatives are used, disinfection at 24-h intervals is indispensable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Yamaguchi University Hospital, Kogushi, Ube, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeharu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oie
authors.forename: Daiki
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Makieda
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Yoshiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okano
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamiya
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D004340:Drug Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D012996:Solutions