Atropine and glycopyrrolate do not support bacterial growth—safety and economic considerations

• Published in: Journal of clinical anesthesia Vol. 35; pp. 560 - 563
• Main Authors: Ittzes, Balazs, Weiling, Zsolt, Batai, Istvan Zoard, Kerenyi, Monika, Batai, Istvan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2016; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Acinetobacter; Acinetobacter baumannii; Acinetobacter baumannii - drug effects; Acinetobacter baumannii - growth & development; Adjuvants, Anesthesia - pharmacology; Alcohol; Anesthesia & Perioperative Care; Atropine; Atropine - pharmacology; Bacteria; Bacterial Load - drug effects; Bactericidal; Drugs; E coli; Equipment Contamination - prevention & control; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - growth & development; Glycopyrrolate; Glycopyrrolate - pharmacology; Hospital finance; Laboratories; Medical wastes; Pain Medicine; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - drug effects; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - growth & development; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus - growth & development; Staphylococcus infections; Streptococcus infections; United Kingdom > UK; Germany; Atropine; Glycopyrrolate; Hospital finance; Bactericidal
• ISSN: 0952-8180; 1873-4529; 1873-4529
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2016.09.011

Evaluation of bacterial growth in atropine and glycopyrrolate. Laboratory investigation. Standard microbiological methods were used to evaluate the impact of atropine and glycopyrrolate on the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Bacterial count was checked at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 24 hours. Atropine or glycopyrrolate did not support the growth of the above bacteria at any examined time at room temperature. Glycopyrrolate killed all of the examined strains (P < .05), whereas in atropine, only the clinical isolates of Staphylococcus and Acinetobacter were killed (P < .05). Drawing up atropine or glycopyrrolate at the beginning of the operating list and use within 24 hours if needed are a safe practice and do not pose infection hazard. We can also reduce hospital costs if we do not throw away these unused syringes following each case. •Injections may be contaminated during preparation.•Contaminated medications pose an infection risk if they support bacterial growth.•Atropine or glycopyrrolate is frequently drawn up before anesthesia but not used.•Atropine and glycopyrrolate do not support bacterial growth if contaminated.•Keeping drawn up but unused atropine or glycopyrrolate reduces financial waste.