Abstract
Objectives. Quantify and characterize bacterial contamination of lead aprons in a high-volume catheterization laboratory and evaluate the efficacy of decontamination using an ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation system. Background. Bacterial contamination and ineffective disinfection of personal protective equipment in medical centers pose potential health risks to patients and medical staff. The contamination burden of lead aprons and a reliable disinfection strategy are unknown. Methods. Ten routinely used, unsterilized lead aprons from a high-volume catheterization laboratory were studied. Standard and bacteria-resistant outer fabrics were included. Swabbings from four locations on each apron (inner thyroid collar, chest, waist, and bottom border) were obtained at baseline and after a 15-minute decontamination cycle using the UV-C based DCab System (Nosocom Solutions). Colony counts, speciation, and antibiotic resistance were obtained from aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Results. Baseline cultures grew >= 1 colony from 25 of 40 samples (62.5%; 310 colonies; 0-100 colonies/sample; 16 organisms), mainly skin and mouth flora without antibiotic resistance. Baseline growth was greatest from the thyroid collar and similar between different fabrics. UV-C reduced subsequent growth (7.8 +/- 23.8 colonies overall vs 0.1 +/- 0.3 colonies overall; P<.001), with all four isolates considered contaminants of laboratory handling. Colony counts were reduced in thyroid collar, chest, waist, nylon fabric, polyurethane fabric, and alternative bacteria-resistant fabric subgroups (all P<.05). Conclusions. Routinely used lead aprons in a high-volume catheterization laboratory were contaminated by non-pathogenic skin and mouth flora located predominantly on the thyroid collar. Disinfection using an automated UV-C based system is highly effective across different apron surface locations and fabric types.