Suction regulators: a potential vector for hospital-acquired pathogens.
The role of suction regulators in nosocomial infections has, to our knowledge, not been studied. A sampling of devices used in hospitals was conducted. Many regulators (173 [37%] of 470) were found to be colonized. A suction circuit model revealed that pathogens can disseminate throughout the circuit (retrograde and antegrade), colonizing an experimental patient stomach.
Kaye
Keith S
KS
Infection Prevention, Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship, Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University Health Center, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. KKaye@dmc.org
Marchaim
Dror
D
Smialowicz
Chester
C
Bentley
Lauren
L
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation