title: No bacterial growth found in spiked intravenous fluids over an 8-hour period.
abstract: Protocol changes prompted by the Joint Commission mandating intravenous (IV) fluid bags to be used within 1 hour of spiking because of possible bacterial contamination have sparked clinical and economic concerns. This study investigated the degree of bacterial growth in which samples were obtained from spiked IV fluid bags at the time of spiking and 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours after spiking. No bacterial growth occurred in any of the 80 bags of Lactated Ringer's (LR) IV solutions sampled. This study demonstrated that LR IV bags do not support any bacterial growth for up to 8 hours after spiking.
authors.affiliation: York College of Pennsylvania / WellSpan Health Nurse Anesthetist Program, York, PA. Electronic address: rhaas@wellspan.org.
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Services, WellSpan York Hospital, York, PA.
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beitz
authors.affiliation: York College of Pennsylvania / WellSpan Health Nurse Anesthetist Program, York, PA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: York College of Pennsylvania / WellSpan Health Nurse Anesthetist Program, York, PA.
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burtnett
authors.affiliation: York College of Pennsylvania / WellSpan Health Nurse Anesthetist Program, York, PA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Services, WellSpan York Hospital, York, PA.
authors.forename: Arthur E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Crist
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, WellSpan York Hospital, York, PA.
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Stierer
authors.affiliation: Office of the President, WellSpan York Hospital, York, PA.
authors.forename: Allan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Birenberg
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D004340:Drug Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D000077331:Ringer's Solution; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D000077331:Ringer's Solution
keywords: Anesthesia; Bacterial growth; Infection control; Intravenous fluids