Reusable Electroencephalography Electrodes: Variability in Cleaning and Reprocessing Practices.

Of 124 reusable electroencephalography cup electrodes/lead wires from four epilepsy monitoring units, 25% had bacterial growth. Institutional cleaning practices of electroencephalography cup electrode lead wires may contribute to positive culture prevalence. In this study, personnel who supervised cleaning of electroencephalography cup electrodes/lead wires completed an investigator-developed survey.

Contamination of reusable electroencephalography electrodes: A multicenter study.

Background: 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.

Methods: This microbiologic evaluation involved 4 epilepsy monitoring units where rEEGs-CELWs were swabbed for bacteria using standard techniques.

Bacterial and viral contamination of reusable sharps containers in a community hospital setting.

Background: Proper disposal of sharps in the clinical setting is a key factor in infection control. Previous research studies suggest that reprocessed, reusable medical devices and infectious waste containers are potential sources of microorganisms capable of causing infection in immunocompromised patients. This pilot study was a single-center, prospective, hospital-based, microbiologic evaluation of reusable sharps disposal containers returned to the hospital from a reprocessing company.