Contaminação de torniquetes para punção intravenosa periférica

Abstract

Objective: To identify the presence of contamination on tourniquets for peripheral intravenous puncture and to characterize the profile of the Staphylococcus spp. and the isolated yeasts. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which 18 tourniquets for peripheral intravenous puncture in use at a hospital were analyzed. The tourniquets were immersed in BHI broth for 24h and cultivated in selective media for isolation and identification of Staphylococcus spp. and yeasts. The disk-diffusion method was employed to analyze the susceptibility profile of the Staphylococcus spp. to the antimicrobial agents. Results: Thirteen (72.2%) tourniquets presented the growth of some microorganism: 11 (52.4%) coagulasenegative Staphylococcus, two (9.5%) Staphylococcus aureus, four (19%) Rodothorula mucilaginosa, three (14.3%) Candida albicans. 61.5% of the Staphylococcus spp. were oxacillin-resistant. The team professionals did not mention protocols for cleaning, disinfection or controlled replacement of these materials at the institution. Conclusion: The contamination of tourniquets by pathogenic microorganisms was identified, with a resistance profile to the antibiotics that are frequently used in hospitals.