title: Decontamination of nasal atomizer tips: alcohol versus guards.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of wiping the nasal atomizer tip with 70% isopropanol versus using single-use plastic atomizer tip guards in preventing cross-contamination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-center, prospective, partially blinded, alternating double-arm trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specialty-specific otolaryngology emergency room.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four consecutive patients who presented to an emergency room received nasal anesthetic with a Venturi atomizer. The atomizers for one half of patients were cleaned with an isopropyl alcohol pad immediately after use (group A). The atomizers for the other half were used with a sterile tip cover in place (group B). The effectiveness of 2 different methods in preventing contamination of the atomizer tip was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One of the 17 atomizers from group A was contaminated(5.9%); 15 of the 17 atomizers from group B were contaminated(88.2%). This represents a difference of 82.3%, ora risk ratio of 15:1 against the use of nasal tip guards (P =.000002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Venturi atomizer tips frequently become contaminated despite the use of a sterile tip cover. This happens at a dramatically decreased rate with the use of isopropyl alcohol for cleaning. Clinical significance of this contamination is uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Department of Otology and Laryngology, The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA. david_kieff@meei.harvard.edu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kieff
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fink
mesh_terms: D019840:2-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000382:microbiology*; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019840:2-Propanol