Evaluation of donor arm disinfection techniques.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To validate a standardized optimal national procedure for donor arm disinfection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A direct swabbing and plating technique was used to enumerate bacteria present on the arm pre- and postdisinfection. Twelve donor arm disinfection techniques were evaluated.

RESULTS: The Medi-Flex Adapted method, consisting of a two-stage process with an initial application of isopropyl alcohol followed by tincture of iodine, produced the best arm disinfection. A percentage reduction in bacterial counts of 99.79% (logarithmic reduction of 2.67) was obtained. Postdisinfection, 70% of donors had bacterial counts of zero, and 98% had counts of 10 or less.

CONCLUSION: The Medi-Flex disinfection method offers the English National Blood Service a validated, optimal 'best practice' disinfection technique and should contribute significantly to the reduction in risk of transmission of bacteria by transfusion.