Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Equipment Contamination”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Prevention of nosocomial infection during nebulization and spirometry].

The nebulizer, designed for the delivery of important quantities of drugs to the bronchi and lungs can also deliver microbial deposits. The risk can be one of recontaminating a patient with his/her own bacteria, contaminating other individuals (other patients or staff during a nebulization session from a patient infected by an ordinary germ or tuberculosis), or transmission via unclean equipment, contaminated water or medicines. The use of single-dose drug preparations, single-patient devices, sterile water, and rigorous applications of the protocols can considerably reduce the risk. Although respiratory function tests are done with expensive equipment that has to be reused, sometimes by a large number of patients in the same day, cases of cross-contamination are exceptional. Closed spirometers are however a risk. The use of single-use filters can save money and time needed to clean all the device parts used in connection with the inspiratory circuit during respiratory tests. In intensive care units, the passage of spirometers from one patient to the next without a cleaning procedure is a situation of risk. In all these situations, implementation of cleaning protocols allows to reduce this risk, although zero risk cannot be achieved especially for recontamination of patients by their own bacteria during nebulization.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1992

Determination of selenium by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry utilizing a new hydride generation sample introduction system.

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with a newly designed continuous flow hydride generator was used for the determination of Se in biological materials. The design of the hydride generator was important in minimizing interference from HCl and in maximizing analytical sensitivity. Two sample preparation procedures incorporating either 3.8 or 7.2 M HCl in the final sample solutions were compared. Interference from Cu was eliminated by the addition of 0.2 M NaI to the sodium borohydride solution (3.8 M method) or by maintaining a high concentration of HCl in the sample solution (7.2 M method). The 3.8 M method had the advantage of minimizing exposure of expensive equipment to corrosive HCl fumes, whereas the 7.2 M method did not contaminate equipment with I and had no measurable sample-to-sample cross-contamination. In practice, cross-contamination from sample to sample in both methods was negligible during analysis. An important factor in minimizing cross-contamination from sample to sample was the elimination of the air bubble normally entrained between samples. Determination of isotopic tracer enrichment was linear from 0 to 320% enrichment, which provided a broad range for isotope dilution analysis. A detection limit of 6.4 pg of Se was observed under optimum conditions, whereas a detection limit of 1.3 ng of Se was found for routine analysis of 1-g samples of plant material. Selenium was accurately determined by isotope dilution analysis in a variety of biological reference materials.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Methods of decontamination of anaesthetic equipment: daily sessional exchange of circuits.

Sampling of untreated anaesthetic circuits showed heavy bacterial contamination. Daily or twice daily sessional exchange of circuits (i.e. use of one circuit for up to nine patients) considerably reduced the extent of contamination. Equipment was effectively treated by steam at high or low temperature or by immersion in glutaraldehyde. Steam at high temperature (134 degrees C) damaged reservoir bags on repeated treatment, whereas low temperature steam (68 degrees C) was satisfactory. Treatment with glutaraldehyde was also satisfactory, but slightly less reliable and its smell was difficult to remove from the equipment after repeated immersion.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed2000

Effect of contamination of pharmaceutical equipment on powder triboelectrification.

Triboelectrification of pharmaceutical powders may cause problems during processing and manufacture due to adhesion/cohesion effects. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of adhered particles and moisture as contact surface contaminants on the electrostatic charging of size fractionated lactose, following contact with a surface, i.e. stainless steel, typically used in pharmaceutical process and manufacturing operations. Replicated experimental runs without cleaning the contact surface showed a successive decrease in the net electronegative charge due to adhered lactose particles. Removal of these contaminating particles by different cleaning methods had a considerable effect on the charge after triboelectrification. The charge on the lactose samples was found to decrease when humidity in the cyclone apparatus was increased from 2 to 100% relative humidity. These results clearly demonstrate that moisture, particulate contamination and method of cleaning of processing equipment during pharmaceutical manufacturing operations may influence the electrostatic behaviour of powders.

Equipment Contamination↗
PubMed2004

Epidemiology of hepatitis C infection and its public health implications in Puerto Rico.

Hepatitis C infection is the most common chronic blood-borne pathogen in the United States associated with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is the leading reason for liver transplantation. It has been estimated that hepatitis C infection may lead to a substantial health and economic burden over the next 10 to 20 years. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection varies worldwide, with an estimated overall prevalence of 3%. However, the only available data of hepatitis C in the general population of Puerto Rico suggest an elevated prevalence of hepatitis C infection in the municipality of San Juan (6.3%) in comparison with estimates for the adult population residing in the United States (0.9%-3.9%). Much of the inter-region variability in the prevalence of hepatitis C can be attributable to the frequency and extent to which different risk factors have contributed to the transmission of the virus. Established risk factors for infection include injection drug use, transfusion of blood and solid organ transplantation from infected donors prior to July 1992 and blood clotting products before 1987, occupational injury, vertical transmission, sex with an HCV infected partner, and multiple sexual partners. Other potential exposures for infection that have been investigated in epidemiologic studies include history of intranasal cocaine use, sharing of contaminated equipment and personal care items, tattooing, body piercing, imprisonment, acupuncture, and use of contaminated healthcare instruments. The high incidence of AIDS in Puerto Rico and the large prevalence observed in Puerto Rican inmates and in adults residing in the municipality of San Juan indicate that HCV infection is an emerging public health concern. From a public health perspective, potential targets for intervention to decrease the spread of HCV infection, ongoing surveillance, increased clinician awareness of disease reporting systems and the epidemiology and management of hepatitis C, availability of diagnosis and treatment facilities, and recognition of the need for local resources will be of paramount importance to face this silent infection in Puerto Rico.

Hepatitis C↗
PubMed1993

Infection control in home care agencies.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of home care agencies, including the nature of care provided and the presence of infection control standards and education. METHODS: Study design was cross-sectional and descriptive; the survey of home health agencies included questions about agency type, nature of care delivered, and infection control policies and educational programs. The sample included all directors of home care agencies in northern California. RESULTS: The response rate was 33.5%. Agency directors reported that 15.3% of their clients required high-technology nursing care; in response to a list of invasive procedures generally considered high in infection risk, more than 90% cared for urinary drainage devices, some categories of wound care, and intravenous management. Of those performing high-risk procedures, more than 75% had policies covering the procedures. Nearly all (87.7% to 100%) had policies on universal precautions, handwashing, handling of needles and sharps, and the cleaning and disinfection of equipment; however, nearly a quarter (24.6%) had no education program regarding the handling of contaminated equipment. CONCLUSIONS: Among agencies responding to this survey, care that is considered high risk for infection is delivered and the agencies for the most part have infection control policies and educational programs. Research is needed to define more clearly infection control efforts in home health care. More work is needed to adapt the knowledge of infection control in hospitals to the home setting.

California↗
PubMed1989

Minimizing the risk of AIDS in the workplace.

1. Under a new directive, employers have been advised that they have a legal responsibility of protecting workers who may come in contact with blood or body fluids contaminated with AIDS. 2. Formal policies and procedures ensure that high-risk tasks are properly identified, standard operating procedures are developed, and employees are trained and protected. 3. Employees must be instructed in the safe collection and disposal of body fluids and contaminated equipment. 4. Routine infection control procedures dictate that all employees be treated as if their body fluids were contaminated (universal precautions).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Infection prevention guidelines for cardiac catheterization laboratories. Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions Laboratory Performance Standards Committee.

The following guidelines for prevention of catheterization laboratory infections are based on standard precautions for infection prevention in surgical wounds. Specific recommendations for patient preparation include proper methods for hair removal, skin cleaning and draping, antibiotic prophylaxis, wound irrigation and dressing, and sheath removal. Sterile precautions should be more vigorous for cutdown procedures compared to percutaneous. Caps, masks, gowns, and gloves help to protect both the patient and operator. Handwashing is the most important procedure for preventing infections. Maintenance of the catheterization laboratory environment includes appropriate cleaning, limitation of traffic, and maintenance of adequate ventilation. Proper catheterization technique and appropriate use of sterile equipment will decrease the wound infection rate. Protection of personnel may be accomplished by proper gowning and gloving, disposal of contaminated equipment, and care of puncture wounds and lacerations. All personnel should receive vaccination for hepatitis B.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis and the possible role of contamination by dental equipment.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients often suffer from Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection yet the source of this organism is not known. In order to determine whether CF patients might be contaminated with P. aeruginosa from dental equipment, a total of 103 water samples from 25 dental sessions in Frederiksberg Municipal Oral Health Care Service were examined. Three samples (2.9%) were positive for P. aeruginosa. Three hundred and twenty-seven water samples from 82 dental sessions from various other Municipal Oral Health Services in Denmark, attended by CF patients, were also examined. Eighteen of 327 samples (5.5%) from nine sessions (11%) were positive for P. aeruginosa. In one case, genotypically identical (RFLP, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) P. aeruginosa strains were found both in water from the dental equipment and in the CF patients sputum. This indicates a small risk for acquiring P. aeruginosa from dental sessions, which is however equal to the yearly 'natural background' incidence (1-2%) of acquisition of P. aeruginosa in our CF centre.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1971

Relative susceptibility of acid-fast and non-acid-fast bacteria to ultraviolet light.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain Erdman, M. bovis (BCG), and M. phlei showed a 1- to 2-log drop in viability after exposure to ultraviolet light compared to a 5-log drop over the same period for Staphylococcus albus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis, and Serratia marcescens. L. monocytogenes showed an initial resistance to ultraviolet inactivation, but later the inactivation rate increased sharply. The significance of these findings with regard to the use of S. marcescens as a test organism for determining the bactericidal efficiency of ultraviolet lamps used to sterilize equipment contaminated with tubercle bacilli is discussed.

Acids↗
PubMed2005

Thermal inactivation of the wine spoilage yeasts Dekkera/Brettanomyces.

The heat resistance of three strains of Dekkera/Brettanomyces (Dekkera anomala PYCC 5,153, Dekkera bruxellensis PYCC 4,801 and Dekkera/Brettanomyces 093) was evaluated at different temperatures between 32.5 and 55 degrees C. Thermal inactivation tests were performed in tartrate buffer solution (pH 4.0) and in wines. In the studies employing buffer as the heating menstruum, measurable thermal inactivation began only at temperatures of 50 degrees C. When heating was performed in wine, significant inactivation begins at 35 degrees C. Subsequent thermal inactivation tests were performed in buffer at various levels of pH, ethanol concentration, and various phenolic acids. Results from experiments in buffer with added ethanol suggest that the greater heat sensitivity shown in wines can be largely attributed to ethanol, although potentiation of this effect might be due to the phenolic content, particularly from ferulic acid. In the range of pH values tested (2.5-4.5), this factor had no influence in the heat inactivation kinetics. Relevant data, in the form of D and Z values calculated in the various environments, potentially useful for the establishment of regimes of thermal control of Dekkera/Brettanomyces yeasts in wine and contaminated equipment is presented.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed2004

Resrad-recycle: a computer model for analyzing radiation exposures resulting from recycling radioactively contaminated scrap metals or reusing radioactively surface-contaminated materials and equipment.

RESRAD-RECYCLE is a computer code designed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to be used in making decisions about the disposition of radioactively contaminated materials and scrap metals. It implements a pathway analysis methodology to evaluate potential radiation exposures resulting from the recycling of contaminated scrap metals and the reuse of surface-contaminated materials and equipment. For modeling purposes, it divides the entire metal recycling process into six steps: (1) scrap delivery, (2) scrap melting, (3) ingot delivery, (4) product fabrication, (5) product distribution, and (6) use of finished product. RESRAD-RECYCLE considers the reuse of surface-contaminated materials in their original forms. It contains representative exposure scenarios for each recycling step and the reuse process; users can also specify scenarios if desired. The model calculates individual and collective population doses for workers involved in the recycling process and for the public using the finished products. The results are then used to derive clearance levels for the contaminated materials on the basis of input dose restrictions. The model accounts for radiological decay and ingrowth, dilution and partitioning during melting, and distribution of refined metal in the various finished products, as well as the varying densities and geometries of the radiation sources during the recycling process. A complete material balance in terms of mass and radioactivity during the recycling process can also be implemented. In an international validation study, the radiation doses calculated by RESRAD-RECYCLE were shown to agree fairly well with actual measurement data.

Body Burden↗
PubMed1999

Biocatalytic nerve agent detoxification in fire fighting foams.

Current events across the globe necessitate rapid technological advances to combat the epidemic of nerve agent chemical weapons. Biocatalysis has emerged as a viable tool in the detoxification of organophosphorus neurotoxins, such as the chemical weapons VX and sarin. Efficient detoxification of contaminated equipment, machinery, and soils are of principal concern. This study describes the incorporation of a biocatalyst (organophosphorus hydrolase, E.C. 3.1.8.1) into conventional formulations of fire fighting foam. The capacity of fire fighting foams to decrease volatilization of contained contaminants, increase surface wettability, and control the rate of enzyme delivery to large areas makes them useful vehicles for enzyme application at surfaces. The performance of enzyme containing foams has been shown to be not only reproducible but also predictable. An empirical model provides reasonable estimations for the amounts of achievable surface decontamination as a function of the important parameters of the system. Theoretical modeling illustrates that the enzyme-containing foam is capable of extracting agent from the surface and is catalytically active at the foam-surface interface and throughout the foam itself. Biocatalytic foam has proven to be an effective, "environmentally friendly" means of surface and soil decontamination.

Aryldialkylphosphatase↗
PubMed1995

HIV in injecting drug users in Edinburgh: prevalence and correlates.

A citywide sample of injecting drug users (IDUs) who had injected in the previous 6 months was recruited in Edinburgh. Interviewers administered a questionnaire enquiring about drug use, sharing of injecting equipment, sexual behavior, and imprisonment. A specimen of saliva was assayed for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) IgG. HIV antibody prevalence in 346 IDUs recruited between June 1992 and October 1993 was 19.7% (95% confidence limits, 15.5 and 23.9%). Univariate analyses indicated that infection was significantly associated with being 27 to 36 years of age, starting to inject between 1975 and 1980, injecting in 1980-1987 and, particularly, 1982-1984, injecting in more than 7 years since 1979, reusing injecting equipment already used by another IDU in 1980-1987, being imprisoned, using equipment used by a fellow prisoner, and residing in north Edinburgh. Multivariate analysis showed that being 27-36 years of age, injecting in 1982-1984, and being imprisoned were independently related to being HIV positive. The risk of being infected increased with the number of times of imprisonment. A quarter of the sample said that they had used injecting equipment already used by another person in the 6 months before interview, and 70% said that they had ever done so. Of IDUs who started injecting after 1986, 4.5% were HIV positive. These findings suggest that the potential for HIV transmission by contaminated equipment still exists in Edinburgh. This is particularly so in prison, where IDUs do not have access to new needles and syringes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Avian infectious bronchitis virus.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is prevalent in all countries with an intensive poultry industry, with the incidence of infection approaching 100% in most locations. Vaccination is only partially successful due to the continual emergence of antigenic variants. At many sites, multiple antigenic types are simultaneously present, requiring the application of multiple vaccines. Although many countries share some common antigenic types, IBV strains within a geographic region are unique and distinct, examples are Europe, the United States of America and Australia. Measures to restrict the introduction of exotic IBV strains should therefore be considered. Infectious bronchitis has a significant economic impact; in broilers, production losses are due to poor weight gains, condemnation at processing and mortality, whilst in laying birds, losses are due to suboptimal egg production and downgrading of eggs. Chickens and commercially reared pheasants are the only natural hosts for IBV. Other species are not considered as reservoirs of IBV. The majority of IBV strains cause tracheal lesions and respiratory disease with low mortality due to secondary bacterial infections, primarily in broilers. Nephropathogenic strains, in addition to tracheal lesions, also induce prominent kidney lesions with mortality of up to 25% in broilers. Strains of both pathotypes infect adult birds and affect egg production and egg quality to a variable degree. Infected chicks are the major source of virus in the environment. Contaminated equipment and material are a potential source for indirect transmission over large distances. Virus is present in considerable titres in tracheal mucus and in faeces in the acute and recovery phases of disease, respectively. Virus spreads horizontally by aerosol (inhalation) or ingestion of faeces or contaminated feed or water. The virus is highly infectious. Clinical signs will develop in contact chicks within 36 h and in nearby sheds within one to two days. Infection is resolved within fourteen days with a rise in antibody titres. In a small number of chicks, latent infection is established with subsequent erratic shedding of virus for a prolonged period of time via both faeces and aerosol. Movement of live birds should be considered as a potential source for the introduction of IBV. Isolation and identification of IBV is needed for positive diagnosis. The preferred method of isolation is to passage a sample in embryonating specified-pathogen-free chicken eggs. Identification is either by monoclonal antibody based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or polymerase chain reaction. Virus neutralisation test in tracheal organ culture is the best method for antigenic typing. Continual use of live vaccines complicates diagnosis since no simple diagnostic tool can differentiate a field from a vaccine strain. Nucleotide sequencing of the S1 glycoprotein is the only method to discriminate between all IBV strains. Serology is also complicated by continual use of live vaccines. For surveillance purposes, ELISA is the method of choice, regardless of the antigenic type of IBV involved. The assay is used to monitor the response to vaccination, but field challenge can only be detected if flock antibody status is monitored continually. The antigenic type of a challenge strain involved cannot be ascertained by ELISA.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Microbiology of wheat and flour milling in Australia.

A survey was undertaken to determine the microbiological status of Australian wheat and the distribution of microorganisms in the flour milling fractions and end products. A total of 650 milling process and end product samples was obtained from nine flour mills located in New South Wales (4), Queensland (2), Victoria (2) and Western Australia (1) during the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 wheat seasons. Most frequent (modal) counts in wheat and flour were, respectively, as follows: aerobic mesophilic plate count, 10(5) and 10(2) colony forming units/gram (cfu/g); coliforms, 10 and 1 most probable number/gram (MPN/g); Bacillus spp., 10(4) and 10(2) cfu/g; B. cereus, 1 and 0.1 MPN/g; mesophilic aerobic spores, 10 and 1 cfu/g; aerobic thermophiles, both 10 cfu/g; yeasts, 10(3) and 10(2) cfu/g, and moulds, 10(3) and 10(2) cfu/g. Bacillus spp., coliforms, yeasts and moulds were the most frequently detected microorganisms throughout the survey. The most common moulds isolated were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium and Eurotium spp. Environmental serovars of Salmonella were isolated from two samples. Escherichia coli and B. cereus were present at very low levels, a majority of positive samples being at the minimum level of detection (3 and 0.3 MPN/g, respectively). As wheat grain layers are separated, surface-adhering contaminants are concentrated in end product bran, wheat germ and pollard, which comprise the outer layers of the grain. Consequently, the inner endosperm fraction contains lower microbial counts, and flour is the cleanest end product of the milling process. Higher microbiological counts midstream in the milling process indicate that equipment contamination may contribute to microbiological contamination; however, the microbiological quality of incoming wheat has a strong influence on the ultimate quality of milling end products.

Australia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Industry perspective on the validation of column-based separation processes for the purification of proteins. Parenteral Drug Association.

Validation of column-based separations is necessary to ensure the quality and safety of protein and peptide products produced by rDNA, peptide synthesis, and hybridoma technologies. Process validation for column-based separations includes qualification of raw materials, equipment, and the purification process. Combined with in-process control and quality control of the final product, column validation ensures that a uniform product is produced consistently from batch to batch. In the best case, validation is designed into the process. During process design, techniques are selected which can remove impurities and contaminants. Equipment and chromatographic media which can perform reproducibly are selected. Column performance standards, cleaning and regeneration routines, and column life should be considered as early as possible. Clearance studies should be planned and implemented to ensure that a product is produced with the requisite purity. There are no explicit rules for process validation of column-based separation processes. This document is intended to serve as a starting point for those needing to validate column-based separation processes.

Chromatography↗