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ARTICLES

In a New York Times article dated 14 Nov,2006 by Betsy McCaughey, titled “To catch a deadly germ” there is information regarding hospital acquired infections. The article states” Hospital infections account for an estimated 100,000 deaths per year” The article further says” The blood pressure cuffs that nurses wrap around patients bare arms frequently carry live bacteria, including M.R.S.A.. In a recent study at a French Teaching hospital. 77 percent of blood pressure cuff wheeled from room to room were contaminated. Another study linked contaminated cuff to many infections and several deaths in the newborn nursery at the University of Iowa hospital. This article went on to state that” hospital acquired infections cost an estimated 30.5 Billion in the USA alone.

An additional New York Times article titled “Superbugs” published 2 Aug, 1998 tells all about the emergence of antibiotic resistant germs. This article is a window to the future in regard to the natural selection of microbes.

“Longitudinal Evaluation of Neonatal Nosocomial Infections: Association of Infection With a Blood Pressure Cuff” by Martin Myers M.D. Published in Pediatrics Vol.61 No.1 January 1978.

The author tells of 46 infants infected and 8 deaths associated to an infected , reused blood pressure cuff. The issue of use of contaminated BP cuffs is also addressed.

Dirty Hospitals: Two million patients are infected in hospitals each year and 90,000 of those Americans die.

RESEARCH ARTICLES

Research articles also tell how the BP cuff has as much fecal contamination as the bedside commode. Scabies were transmitted from patient to patient by an infected cuff. 37% of the cuffs ready to be used in surgery at an Atlanta Hospital tested positive for blood contamination. Etc.

“Nondisposable sphygmomanometer cuffs harbor frequent bacterial colonization and significant contamination by organic and inorganic matter”by Victoria Base-Smith published in Journal of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. April 1996/Vol64/No.2 pg.141-145.

This research tells how most cuffs are microbial contaminated and often blood contaminated. Discusses the need to remove the cuff as source of contamination.

“Significant Bacterial Colonization Occurs on the Surface of Non-Disposable Sphygmomanometer Cuffs and Re-Used Disposable Cuffs” written by Andrew Sternlicht, M.D. and Alan Poznak, M.D. published in Anesthiology and Analgesic, 1990:S1-S450

This research tells that 99% of the cuffs tested were contaminated. They discuss the attitude by employees and need to take precautions with contaminated cuffs.

“Blood Pressure Cuff as a Potential Vector of Pathogenic Microorganisms: A Prospective Study in a Teaching Hospital” published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology . Volume 27(2006), pages 940-943 by C. de Gialluly,MD,V. Morange,MD et all.

This article tells of the importance of recognizing BP cuffs as potential vectors of pathogenic bacteria among patients.