[Studies on bacteriologic contamination of potassium chloride solution 25% in multidose containers regularly used on hospital wards].
The use of multidose containers poses the problem of in-use microbial contamination. In a clinical investigation sterility tests of 25% potassium chloride solution (w/v) in multidose containers have been performed in-use on two surgical wards. The contents of 80 vials used for 1, 3, 7 or 10 days (with registered withdrawals) were sterility tested with the aid of blood agar plates. None of the 80 bottles were contaminated. It has been shown that lege artis withdrawals of 25% potassium chloride solution (w/v) from multidose containers involves a very low risk of contamination. However, the theory that contaminants have been killed must not be excluded. In final laboratory tests, multidose containers of 25% sterile potassium chloride solution (w/v) were artificially contaminated. Test microorganisms were E. coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staph. aureus ATCC 25923. Microbial control after 1 or 2 days storage showed absence or significant germ reduction with the experimental technique described.