Instilling a culture of cleaning: Effectiveness of decontamination practices on non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs

Abstract

Background:

Sphygmomanometers and their cuffs are non-critical items that can act as a fomite for transmission of pathogens which may cause healthcare-associated infection (HAI), leading to an argument that disposable equipment improves patient safety.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that decontamination decreased in microbial contamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs, providing evidence to negate the need to purchase, and dispose of, single-patient-use cuffs, reducing cost and environmental impact.

Methods:

A pre–post intervention study of available sphygmomanometer cuffs and associated bedside patient monitors was conducted using a series of microbiological samples in a rural emergency department. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test analysed the effect of the decontamination intervention. To further examine the effect of the decontamination intervention, Mann–Whitney U-tests were conducted for each aspect.

Findings:

Contamination was significantly higher before decontamination than afterwards (Z = −5.14, U = 55.0, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.61 inner; Z = −5.05, U = 53.5, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.59 outer).

Discussion:

Decontamination of non-disposable sphygmomanometer cuffs decreases microbial load and risk of HAI, providing evidence to negate arguments for disposable cuffs while being environmentally sensitive and supportive of a culture of patient safety and infection control.