Contamination of reusable electroencephalography electrodes: A multicenter study

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 46; no. 12; pp. 1360 - 1364
• Main Authors: Albert, Nancy M., Bena, James F., Ciudad, Charlotte, Keleekai-Brapoh, Nowai, Morrison, Shannon L., Rice, Karen, Slifcak, Ellen, Runner, Jack C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2018
• Subjects: Antibiotic resistance; Bacteria; Cross-contamination; Electroencephalography (EEG) cup electrodes; Infection control; Lead wires; Electroencephalography (EEG) cup electrodes; Bacteria; Cross-contamination; Lead wires; Antibiotic resistance; Infection control
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.05.021

•25% of cleaned, reusable EEG cup electrodes and lead wires had bacterial growth.•Of the bacterial species, most were potential risk and at risk for causing human infection.•Cleaned, reusable EEG electrodes pose a risk of patient cross-contamination. Reusable electroencephalography cup electrodes and lead wires (rEEGs-CELWs) could be a source of microorganisms capable of causing hospital-acquired infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate for bacterial species of cleaned rEEGs-CELWs. This microbiologic evaluation involved 4 epilepsy monitoring units where rEEGs-CELWs were swabbed for bacteria using standard techniques. Analyses involved descriptive statistics and logistic regression (across sites). Of 124 swabs, 31 (25.0%; range, 13.3%-43.3%) showed positive bacterial cultures, without between-site differences (P = .17). Bacteria were labeled by risk for hospital-acquired infection: no risk, potential risk (primarily in immunocompromised patients), and at risk (associated with infections and antibiotic resistance). At-risk bacteria species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (38.7%), Staphylococcus capitis subsp ureolyticus (3.2%), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (9.6%). Potential-risk species were Micrococcus spp (22.6%), Acinetobacter lwoffii (6.5%), Staphylococcus hominis subsp hominis (6.5%), and Staphylococcus warneri (6.5%). Bacillus (9.6%) was the only no-risk species. Of 18 antibiotics tested on positive cultures, resistant bacteria were found in a median of 1 (range, 0-11) positive culture, equating to a 6.7% (range, 0%-61.1%) resistant antibiotic rate; no microorganisms were resistant to all antibiotics tested. Bacteria that were potential risk or at risk for infection were found on 22.6% of cleaned rEEGs-CELWs. Use of single-use electrodes and research on scalp infection and infection reduction interventions are warranted.