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An outbreak of post-operative sepsis due to a staphylococcal disperser

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

Elizabeth I. Tanner ,
Judith Bullin ,
C. H. Bullin  and
D. R. Gamble
Elizabeth I. Tanner
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
Judith Bullin
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
C. H. Bullin
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
D. R. Gamble
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
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Summary

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A staphylococcal disperser employed as a theatre technician appeared to have been the source of 11 cases of wound sepsis over a period of about 3 years. He was primarily a nasal carrier and after attempts to eradicate Staphylococcus aureus from his nose failed, his skin dispersal was controlled by daily washing with 4% chlorhexidine detergent (‘Hibiscrub’) and he was allowed to resume his theatre duties under careful bacteriological surveillance. Over the following 2 years 173 dispersal tests showed a mean dispersal of 1·7 c.f.u. per 2800 I air compared with a mean of 152 c.f.u. per 2800 I air in the month immediately preceding treatment and 55 c.f.u. per 2800 I in the period after cessation of treatment. One case of wound sepsis was attributed to the technician during the 2 years in which he received skin disinfection treatment.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 85 , Issue 2 , October 1980 , pp. 219 - 225
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

References

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