Molecular epidemiology of microbial contamination in the operating room environment: Is there a risk for infection?

Microbiology of Explanted Suture Segments from Infected and Noninfected Surgical Patients

“…Aggressive efforts to prevent prosthetic device contamination at the time of insertion is a hallmark of the orthopedic, cardiothoracic, and vascular surgical services. Previous studies conducted in our facility have documented that intraoperative wound contamination can occur through nasopharyngeal shedding or microperforation of surgical gloves, allowing hand flora to migrate across the compromised glove surface into the wound (19,20). Preventing microbial adherence and biofilm formation on the surface of a multifilament or monofilament suturing device would appear to be a beneficial risk reduction strategy.…”

A Pilot Study of the Noninvasive Assessment of the Lung Microbiota as a Potential Tool for the Early Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

“…Exhaled breath contains fl uid particles carrying pathogens from the lower respiratory system [32][33][34][35] and prior study demonstrates that HCH/HME fi lters are reservoirs for pathogenic bacterial DNA. 36 Our current study assesses the qualitative and quantitative correlation of DNA in EBCF with BALF and microbiologic cultures for suspected pneumonia.…”

“…32,33 Th ese droplets refl ect the pathogens in the lower respiratory tree, transmitting them to the environment. [32][33][34][35] Th us, we hypothesized that bacteria within these aerosolized breath droplets would collect within the hygroscopic condenser humidifi er/heat and moisture exchanger (HCH/HME) fi lters between the endotracheal tubes and ventilator circuit and provide a quantitative assessment of pulmonary bacterial growth. Th e purpose of this current study is to examine if polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of exhaled breath condensate fl uid (EBCF) would correlate quantitatively and qualitatively with fl uid samples from time-matched, semiquantitative BAL fluid (BALF) obtained for the clinical suspicion of pneumonia, thus providing qualitative and quantitative results in hours rather than the 3 days required by current techniques.…”

Perioperative hair removal in the 21st century: Utilizing an innovative vacuum-assisted technology to safely expedite hair removal before surgery

“…Previous studies in our laboratory have documented that a wide range of microbial populations, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and selective gram-negative bacteria are present within 1-2 m of the incision site, posing a potential risk of infection, particularly when procedures involve insertion of a biomedical device or prosthesis. 14 The findings of the current study document that using a battery-operated surgical clipper fitted with vacuum-assisted hair collection technology was effective in the complete removal of clipped hair particles from the operative field. Finally, in addition to eliminating the time required to clean up residual hair particles, the vacuum-assisted collection system was effective at reducing the potential microbial burden associated with clipped loose hair as a potential source of operative field contamination.…”