Stopcock Contamination in an ICU

Abstract

Because Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the predominant organisms found on human skin, it seemed probable that st phylococci, at least, would be found in the open stopcocks (1). Other organisms normally present on the skin are Staphylococcus aureus, nonhemolytic streptococci, enterococci (Streptococcus faecalis), and Candida. Gram-negative coliforms and mimeae may be found. Some of the normal flora of the