Multiple-use atomizers in outpatient otolaryngology clinics are not necessarily an infectious risk.

Abstract

We sought to determine the risk of bacterial transmission from multiple-use atomizers in an outpatient otolaryngology clinic. Atomizers in 6 examination rooms were analyzed for bacterial contamination. Sterility of associated tubing from 1 atomizer was assessed. Multidose drug solutions in the atomizers (phenylephrine and tetracaine) were cultured multiple times over a 2-week period. Serial dilutions of the original sample were cultured to minimize inhibitory effects of antiseptic agents in the drug formulations. No bacteria were recovered from tubing cultures. Only 2 (0.6%) of 336 cultures of the drug solutions yielded bacterial growth. In both cases, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was recovered in 1 of the dilutions prepared from original samplings. Multiple-use atomizers that contain phenylephrine and tetracaine solutions with bacteriostatic preservatives in an outpatient otolaryngology clinic do not yield significant bacterial growth and, when used as described, do not pose an infectious risk of bacterial transmission between patients.