Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The method of saturating gauze sponges directly in their wrapper was tested to determine strike-through contamination. Contamination occurred in 100% of the uncoated-wrapper sponges, regardless of exposure to Staphylococcus epidermidis or Escherichia coli. Among coated-wrapper sponges, 80% exposed to Staphylococcus epidermidis and 20% exposed to Escherichia colt demonstrated strike-through contamination. Coated-wrapper sponges had a significantly lower rate of contamination than uncoated-wrapper sponges when exposed to Escherichia colt. Occurrence of contamination of all sponges was significantly higher from Staphylococcus epidermidis. The findings render the popular practice of saturating gauze sponges in their wrapper unacceptable.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Atkinson, L. , & Kohn, M. (1986). Berry and Kohn's Introduction to operating room technique. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Horan, T. , White, J. , Jarvis, W. , Emori, T. , Culver, D. , Munn, V. , Thornsberry, C. , Olson, D. , & Hughes, J. (1984). Nosocomial Infection surveillance, 1984. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control.

Lewis, L. , & Timby, B. (1988). Fundamental skills and concepts Inpatient care. Philadelphia: Lippincott.

Molyneux, R. (1983). A preliminary investigation into surgical dressings used over postoperative abdominal wound drains. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 8, 525-533.

Noriega, L. (1984). Sterile barriers. Surgical Rounds, 2(7), 117-123.

Rhodes, M. , Gruendemann, B. , & Ballinger, W. (1978). Alexander's care of the patient in surgery. St. Louis: Mosby.

Sorensen, K. , & Luckmann, J. (1979). Basic nursing. Philadelphia: Saunders.

Timby, B. (1989). Clinical nursing procedures. Philadelphia: Lippincott.

Analysis of Strike-through Contamination in Saturated Sterile Dressings

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References