Contamination of blood pressure cuffs by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and preventive measures

BACKGROUND Although blood pressure cuffs are commonly used and shared in medical facilities, their routine disinfection is performed infrequently. AIMS We investigated the contamination of blood pressure cuffs by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). METHODS The MRSA level on the inner side (the surface in contact with patients' skin) of blood pressure cuffs used in the wards and outpatient clinics of a university hospital (733 beds) was determined using the gauze and swab wiping methods. RESULTS Using the gauze wiping method (n = 35), the MRSA contamination rate was 31.4 %, and the MRSA contamination level was 1,702.6 ± 9,996.1 (0-58, 320) colony-forming units (cfu)/cuff. No MRSA was detected on blood pressure cuffs after washing (n = 30) or wiping with 80 vol% ethanol (n = 18). CONCLUSIONS Blood pressure cuffs are frequently contaminated by MRSA.