Media release

Reusable tourniquets may be spreading infections in hospitals

Reusable venesection tourniquets may be a source of transmission of multiresistant organisms (MROs) in hospitals, according to research published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.

It is estimated that around six per cent of hospitalised patients will acquire an infection during their admission, leading to increased length of stay, further treatment, and higher overall cost, Dr Thomas Gottlieb and co-authors, from Concord Repatriation General Hospital in Sydney, said.

They randomly collected 100 of the reusable tourniquets, which are wrapped around a patient’s arm to assist with gaining access to a vein for blood removal, and found that 61 per cent were colonised with bacterial species that would not be considered normal upper-limb skin flora. A quarter of the tourniquets yielded an MRO.

“If a single patient MRO transmission is perceived to be an avoidable patient care outcome, then any reuse of MRO-colonised tourniquets may present an unacceptable risk,” Dr Gottlieb said.

“While disposable tourniquets are readily available, their use is not universal due to perceived difficulties in application and patient discomfort.

“However, a study found that 85 per cent of patients found disposable tourniquets at least as good as reusable tourniquets, and 95 per cent of doctors found them as easy to use.

“Reducing the burden of hospital-associated infections is being addressed through multifaceted approaches such as hand hygiene and antimicrobial stewardship programs.

“As reusable tourniquets are frequently colonised with MROs and may be a source of cross-transmission, the burden of MRO colonisation from the hospital environment also needs to be considered.

“With current high prevalence rates of MROs, continued use of reusable tourniquets may not be justified in the hospital setting.”

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.


The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA  reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.

 

CONTACT:     James Yeandel                                     02 95159600
                    Director Public Affairs
                     Concord Hospital

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