Scissors: a potential source of nosocomial infection

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2002 Mar;23(3):147-51. doi: 10.1086/502026.

Abstract

This point-prevalence survey of healthcare workers' scissors demonstrates that of 232 scissors sampled, 182 (78.4%) were colonized with bacteria. The scissors of nurses and those for communal use were most frequently contaminated. Cleaning of scissors occurred infrequently, but wiping scissors with an alcohol swab effectively disinfected them. The suspicion that scissors may harbor and potentially transmit microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, has been confirmed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Equipment Contamination*
  • Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Manitoba / epidemiology
  • Prevalence