title: Limited retention of micro-organisms using commercialized needle filters.
abstract: A study was undertaken to compare a commercialized needle filter with a 0.2-μm filtered epidural set and a non-filtered standard needle. No culturable bacteria were detected following filtration through the 0.2-μm filter. Bacterial breakthrough was observed with the filtered needle (pore size 5 μm) and the non-filtered needle. Filtered systems (0.2 μm) should be employed to achieve total bacterial retention. This highlights that filtration systems with different pore sizes will have varying ability to retain bacteria. Healthcare professionals need to know what type/capability of filter is implied on labels used by manufacturers, and to assess whether the specification has the desired functionality to prevent bacterial translocation through needles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Elbaz
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mawhinney
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, Belfast, UK; School of Biomedical Science, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK; Centre for Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast, UK. Electronic address: jemoore@niphl.dnet.co.uk.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D009339:Needles / Q000382:microbiology*; D013242:Sterilization
keywords: Bacteria; Bacterial contamination; Bacterial retention; Epidural; Filtered needle; Sterility