Pressure monitoring devices. Overlooked source of nosocomial infection

JAMA. 1976 Aug 23;236(8):936-8. doi: 10.1001/jama.236.8.936.

Abstract

Contaminated pressure monitoring devices recently have been implicated as a source of epidemic organisms in three outbreaks of nosocomial bacteremia, one outbreak of candidemia, and one outbreak of hepatitis. Measures necessary to prevent monitoring-related infections have not always been appreciated or taken. As a minimum, pressure monitoring devices should be sterilized between use with different patients; strict aseptic technique should be employed when setting up and using monitoring systems; and each patient's monitoring tubing, fluid, and monitoring devices should be changed at regular intervals.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Pressure Determination / instrumentation*
  • Catheterization / adverse effects
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Disease Outbreaks / etiology
  • Hepatitis B / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Monitoring, Physiologic*
  • Sepsis / etiology*
  • Sterilization
  • Transducers