Detection of visually imperceptible blood contamination in the oral surgical clinic using forensic luminol blood detection agent

Abstract

Aim and Objectives:Oral surgical procedures can cause spread of infections in the clinics through visually imperceptible, splattered, and aerosolized blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate visually imperceptible blood contamination of clinical surfaces and personal protective equipment (PPE) in an oral surgery clinic using luminol.Materials and Methods:Following ethical approval, oral surgical procedures were performed under local anesthesia in a disinfected clinic, and PPE was used by the oral surgeon, dental assistant, and patients. After the procedure, clinical surfaces and PPE were evaluated for traces of visually imperceptible blood contamination using luminol. Data regarding blood contamination and the duration of the procedure were collected. Nonparametric tests, with 95% significance level (Epi Info, Stat Calc 7, CDC, Atlanta, USA), were used to identify statistical interactions between the duration of the procedure and the frequency of blood contamination.Results:Blood contamination was detected in flooring below surgical field (86.67%), instrument tray, operating light, dental chair, and suction unit (100%). Except head caps and shoe covers, blood contamination was detected in all the PPE used by the clinical personnel, and the eyewear and chest drapes used by patients. An increase in the surgical time beyond 40 min significantly increased the risk of blood contamination in the handcuffs of the clinical personnel (P < 0.01).Discussion and Conclusion:Visually imperceptible blood contamination of the clinical surfaces and PPE is associated with minor oral surgical procedures. This mandates the cleaning and disinfection of all clinical surfaces before and after minor oral surgical procedures and PPE for clinicians and patients during every procedure.

A systematic review of droplet and aerosol generation in dentistry

“…There were two studies, both oral surgery ones, that investigated the lower part of the operator body. One indicated contamination of the abdomen and upper leg areas [ 51 ], and another showing no contamination of shoe covers used by surgeons and their assistants [ 52 ]. Although these are only two studies, they have implications for infection control measures to reduce the chances of cross contamination in dental settings.…”

Dentistry and coronavirus (COVID-19) - moral decision-making

“…17 Oral surgery drills also cause aerosol in addition to splatter. 18,19 Aerosols are liquid and solid particles (<50 μm diameter) suspended in air for protracted periods. Splatter is a mixture of air, water and/or solid substances (50 μm to several millimetres diameter).…”

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“… 44 Control of fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 presents a tremendous challenge in dentistry because of a combination of high variety of materials commonly used in dental routine, with a prolonged and variable temporal decay of the viral inoculum (Table 2 ). 23 , 24 , 45 , 46 Inadequate disinfection of surfaces or unnoticeable contamination of dental supply (ie, secretions, aerosol) presents an additional unexpected threat of COVID-19 transmission. However, the existing data on surface persistence are based on experimental conditions only and do not necessarily reflect all clinical situations, particularly in dentistry.…”