IS THE USE OF BOXED GLOVES IN AN INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT SAFE

PURPOSE: To identify the type, rate, burden, and pattern of contaminat ion of boxed, clean but nonsterile gloves in our intensive care unit ( ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fingertips of the first, middle, and last two pairs of gloves in 29 boxes in routine service in our ICU wer e cultured. The first of each of these three sets were removed aseptic ally, the second in a routine fashion. RESULTS: We found 16 of 29 (55% ) first pairs removed aseptically to be contaminated with a mean biobu rden of 1.8 colony-forming units (CFU). The percentage contamination a nd bioburden did not change significantly with position in the box. Us e of routine compared with strict aseptic technique increased the rate of contamination by only 11% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.05 to 0.27 percentage points) and bioburden by only a mean of 3.4 colonies p er pair (CI -0.51 to +4.90 CFU). The length of the time the boxes were open and in use was unrelated to whether the final aseptically remove d pair was sterile or contaminated. The predominant organisms were coa gulase-negative staphylococci. CONCLUSIONS: One half the pairs of late x examination gloves in our ICU were sterile despite repeated barehand ed access to the boxes. Those contaminated exhibited a small bioburden of low pathogenic potential. No pattern of contamination or unsafe du ration of box use were observed. The use of boxed clean, nonsterile gl oves appears safe for routine use in an ICU.