A Comparison of the Bacterial Contamination of the Surface of Cleanroom Operators’ Garments following Donning with and without Gloves

Noëlle H O’ Driscoll,Laurie M Smith,Andrew J Lamb

doi:10.37521/ejpps.26302

Noëlle H O’ Driscoll, Laurie M Smith + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.37521/ejpps.26302

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Abstract

Background Specialist cleanroom garments are a potential vector for transmission of microorganisms within these facilities. In order to maintain the low bioburden of such clothing it has been perceived best practice for operators to dress wearing sterile cleanroom gloves. However, the efficacy of such glove use upon the resultant bacterial contamination of the surface of cleanroom garments has not previously been evaluated. Aim To compare surface bacterial contamination of cleanroom garments following their donning by operators dressing with or without gloves. Methods Following prior handwashing and systematic donning of cleanroom clothing by operators dressing wearing either no gloves, non-sterile nitrile gloves or sterile cleanroom latex gloves, a direct agar contact method was immediately undertaken to test garment surfaces at 7 specific sites. Following incubation bacterial levels were suitably quantified. Findings Comparing levels of growth displayed on plates used to test the surface of cleanroom garments worn by operators dressing with no gloves, non–sterile gloves or sterile cleanroom gloves, no significant difference was observed between the percentage of contact plates displaying growth and the levels of growth observed on plates, from any of the sites tested. Conclusion Omission of gloves in line with a systematic handwashing procedure prior to the cleanroom garment donning process, may result in modest economic and environmental gain coupled with a slightly less burdensome procedure. However, this is reliant on rigorous adherence to handwashing protocol and assessment of associated risk factors.

Highlights

Cleanroom operators are well established as being the predominant source of contamination within these environments [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Whilst bacteria were observed on plates used to test unwashed hands, following this period, no bacteria were observed on plates used to test hands having undergone a standardised handwashing process with the omission of gloves prior to the donning process, confirming the effectiveness of the handwashing process
The findings indicate that glove use could be substituted for a rigorous standardised handwashing protocol with the omission of gloves prior to dressing, without increasing bacterial bioburden of garments

Summary

Introduction

Cleanroom operators are well established as being the predominant source of contamination within these environments [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. It is reported that around 80% of cleanroom particulates are human in origin [9], comprised of dead skin cell squames [1,4,5] and accompanying microorganisms from the skin microbiome [10]. These particles are constantly shed by operators due to continuous epithelial cell growth and renewal [11]. In order to maintain the low bioburden of such clothing it has been perceived best practice for operators to dress wearing sterile cleanroom gloves. The efficacy of such glove use upon the resultant bacterial contamination of the surface of cleanroom garments has not previously been evaluated

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