Page 49 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, eds. 2018. Zdravje starostnikov ▪︎ Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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robiological contamination in the manufacture of medical problemi in izzivi v prehrani starostnikov | nutrition problems and challenges in the elderly
devices
Katja Bezek, Maruša Masle, Darja Barlič – Maganja
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: The risk of chronic and mental illness, physical weakness, and
other associated conditions increases with age. Also there is a number of med-
ical treatments that require the use of medical devices (MD) such as catheters,
infusion, dialysis or parenteral feeding systems. Although MD infections are
mostly hospital acquired, contamination with microorganisms and their meta-
bolic products may occur during the manufacturing process.
Methods: The aim was to find the main source of MD microbial contamination
in the production process. The air particle measurements, the microbial con-
tamination of the air, surfaces, water and final products and the presence of en-
dotoxins were included. The hand hygiene of workers was also tested.
Results: The results of microbiological analyses showed the following: (a) the
maximum number of dust particles was at the entrances, with a large flow of
people, as well as near the machines; (b) the microbiological contamination
was the highest on PVC boxes with MD components; (c) water was not faecal-
ly contaminated; (d) hand disinfection was proven to be most effective.
Discussion and conclusions: Within the production process a potential source
of endotoxigenic bacteria could not be found. Nevertheless, the input materi-
al and hygienic practice among employees in MD production still remains a risk
factor. MD without additional health risk for susceptible groups such as the el-
derly can be provided with appropriate hygiene during production.
Keywords: medical devices, microbiological contamination, endotoxins,
health risks
47
devices
Katja Bezek, Maruša Masle, Darja Barlič – Maganja
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: The risk of chronic and mental illness, physical weakness, and
other associated conditions increases with age. Also there is a number of med-
ical treatments that require the use of medical devices (MD) such as catheters,
infusion, dialysis or parenteral feeding systems. Although MD infections are
mostly hospital acquired, contamination with microorganisms and their meta-
bolic products may occur during the manufacturing process.
Methods: The aim was to find the main source of MD microbial contamination
in the production process. The air particle measurements, the microbial con-
tamination of the air, surfaces, water and final products and the presence of en-
dotoxins were included. The hand hygiene of workers was also tested.
Results: The results of microbiological analyses showed the following: (a) the
maximum number of dust particles was at the entrances, with a large flow of
people, as well as near the machines; (b) the microbiological contamination
was the highest on PVC boxes with MD components; (c) water was not faecal-
ly contaminated; (d) hand disinfection was proven to be most effective.
Discussion and conclusions: Within the production process a potential source
of endotoxigenic bacteria could not be found. Nevertheless, the input materi-
al and hygienic practice among employees in MD production still remains a risk
factor. MD without additional health risk for susceptible groups such as the el-
derly can be provided with appropriate hygiene during production.
Keywords: medical devices, microbiological contamination, endotoxins,
health risks
47
