Contamination of Hospital Disinfectants with Pseudomonas Species

Abstract

Contamination of stocks of chlorhexidine and Savlon with Pseudomonas species resistant to the concentrations of chlorhexidine and Savlon in clinical use is reported. The contamination was maintained by a residual inoculum remaining in bottles after washing, and was spread to other bottles in the bottles washing apparatus. It is suggested that some wound infections may be caused by disinfectants contaminated either at issue by the pharmacy or during use on the wards. The addition of 4% v/v isopropyl alcohol to aqueous preparations of both disinfectants was found greatly to reduce the incidence of contamination. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.