Microbiological Profile of Reusable Sharps Containers: A Pilot Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and bacteria poses a significant risk to healthcare workers. 1 Previous research studies suggest a microbiologic advantage to single-use versus reusable infectious waste containers. 2 The purpose of this single-center, prospective, hospital-based, microbiologic, pilot study was to detect the presence of bacteria and viruses on reusable sharps disposal containers that were delivered to the hospital post-cleaning and reprocessing. METHODS: A New England area, 130-bed community hospital performed the evaluation. Thirty newly processed, reusable sharps disposal containers were swabbed for bacterial and viral detection by an infection control practitioner following delivery to the hospital's shipping/receiving area. Cultures were analyzed at two independent central laboratories. 3 RESULTS: Twenty-seven containers (90%) were positive for bacteria with 10% of the recovered isolates considered potentially clinically harmful. Nine out of thirty (30%) cultures were positive for viruses: HIV (10%), HAV (6.7%), HBV (6.7%), and HCV (13.3%). Several containers tested positive for multiple viruses and bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Recycled sharps containers were returned to this medical facility with bacterial and viral contamination. Further testing is warranted to determine the scope of the problem and potential clinical implications. Bacteria Isolated from Reprocessed Sharps Containers Isolate Number of Containers Positive for Isolate Percent of Containers Positive for Isolate Bacillus Species 24 80% Acinetobacter baumannii 1 3.3% Acinetobacter lwoffi 2 6.6% Enterobacter agglomerans 2 6.6% Escherichia vulneris 1 3.3% Staphylococcus epidermidis 1 3.3% Staphylococcus hominis 1 3.3% No growth at 5 days 3 10% Viruses Isolated from Reprocessed Sharps Containers Virus Number of Containers Positive for Virus Percent of Containers Positive for Virus Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 3 10% Hepatitis A 2 6.7% Hepatitis B 2 6.7% Hepatitis C 4 13.3% Consultant for Tyco Healthcare from which annual income is received. Funding for this study was provided by Tyco Healthcare Group, LP. [1] Rosenstock, L (1998). Selecting, Evaluating, and Using Sharps Disposal Containers [Online]. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/sharps1.html . [2] Neely AN, Maley MP, Taylor G (2003). Investigation of single-use versus reusable infectious waste containers as potential sources of microbial contamination. Am J Infect Control 31(1):13-17. [3] North Coast Clinical Laboratory, Inc., Sandusky, OH; Research Think Tank, Inc., Atlanta, GA.