Bacterial Contamination on Reusable Pulse Oximeter Sensors in Intensive Care Units and Its Manual Disinfection by Alcohol and Sodium Hypochlorite

Abstract

Nosocomial infections may result from intensive care unit pulse oximeters. The descriptive study examined pulse oximeter sensor microbiological contamination and the efficacy of manual disinfection with alcohol and sodium hypochlorite in five hospital intensive care units. Sixty-eight reusable pulse oximeter sensors were swabbed, cultured, and evaluated after decontamination. In private and public hospitals, 12 (35.2%) and 13 (37.2%) pulse oximeters tested positive for bacteria. Alcohol 70% reduced the microbial load and more than 10% sodium hypochlorite. The study found that purposeful cleaning and disinfection reduce microorganisms. Alcohol was more efficacious than sodium hypochlorite. Critical care facilities should regularly clean reusable pulse oximeter sensors.