A comparison of the bacterial contamination of the surface of cleanroom operators’ garments following donning with and without gloves.

Smith, Laurie M.; O'Driscoll, Noëlle H.; Lamb, Andrew J.

Abstract

Specialist cleanroom garments are a potential vector for transmission of microorganisms within these facilities. In order to maintain the low bioburden of such clothing it has been perceived best practice for operators to dress wearing sterile cleanroom gloves. However, the efficacy of such glove use upon the resultant bacterial contamination of the surface of cleanroom garments has not previously been evaluated. To compare surface bacterial contamination of cleanroom garments following their donning by operators dressing with or without gloves. Following prior handwashing and systematic donning of cleanroom clothing by operators dressing wearing either no gloves, non-sterile nitrile gloves or sterile cleanroom latex gloves, a direct agar contact method was immediately undertaken to test garment surfaces at 7 specific sites. Following incubation bacterial levels were suitably quantified. Comparing levels of growth displayed on plates used to test the surface of cleanroom garments worn by operators dressing with no gloves, non–sterile gloves or sterile cleanroom gloves, no significant difference was observed between the percentage of contact plates displaying growth and the levels of growth observed on plates, from any of the sites tested. Omission of gloves in line with a systematic handwashing procedure prior to the cleanroom garment donning process, may result in modest economic and environmental gain coupled with a slightly less burdensome procedure. However, this is reliant on rigorous adherence to handwashing protocol and assessment of associated risk factors.

Citation

SMITH, L.M., O'DRISCOLL, N.H. and LAMB, A.J. 2021. A comparison of the bacterial contamination of the surface of cleanroom operators’ garments following donning with and without gloves. European journal of parenteral and pharmaceutical sciences [online], 26(3). Available from: https://doi.org/10.37521/ejpps.26302

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 22, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 13, 2021
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2021
• Deposit Date: Oct 19, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 19, 2021
• Journal: European journal of parenteral and pharmaceutical sciences
• Print ISSN: 1740-6277
• Electronic ISSN: 2633-6588
• Publisher: PHSS (Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sciences Society)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.37521/ejpps.26302
• Keywords: Gloves; Cleanroom; Garments; Donning; Bacterial; Contamination
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1499502