Clipper Blade Disinfection

Clipper blades have been implicated as a potential source of bacteria associated with wound and surgical site infections. Pathogens including Staphylococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, and enteric bacteria have been isolated from clipper blades in previous studies, and these bacteria can persist for long periods on inanimate objects. 

In this prospective study, 5 disinfection techniques were evaluated for efficacy in controlling the number of bacterial pathogens found on clipper blades. 

Seventy new #40 clipper blades were steam-sterilized and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The blades were divided into 7 treatment groups: A (positive control); B (saline soak); C (70% isopropyl alcohol soak); D (chlorhexidine solution soak); E (isopropanol, o-phenylphenol spray); F (o-phenylphenol, ethanol spray); G (o-phenylphenol, ethanol, dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride spray). 

After air drying for 20 minutes, the blades were dipped in sterile saline to recover bacteria. Mannitol salt and MacConkey agar plates were inoculated with the recovered samples for quantitative culture. In general, bacteria counts were decreased in all treatment groups (B-G). Groups C, D, and F showed a significant reduction in all isolates. Group E showed significant decrease in E coli, and group G showed significant reduction in S aureus. S aureus was recovered in Group B, but E coli and P aeruginosa were not. 

The authors concluded that all treatment groups had decreased bacterial counts; however, ethanol/o-phenylphenol spray, isopropyl alcohol soak, and chlorhexidine soak were the most efficacious.

Global Commentary

Although this study had some limitations, the results were a good reminder that preventing nosocomial infection is a battle fought on many grounds. Contaminants, including multiresistant bacteria, have been found on the surface of every piece of hospital equipment—from keyboards and telephones to stethoscopes and clippers. 

A hospital stay, from admission to discharge, is a chain of processes, each associated with a lesser or greater risk for transmitting nosocomial infections. The strength of a chain is that of its weakest link, and efforts to implement better standards for skin preparation or surgical asepsis can be negated by weak protocols for disinfection or sterilization of devices coming in contact with patients. The whole chain must be examined when reviewing infection-control policies and protocols.

—Laurent Findji, DMV, MS, MRCVS, DECVS, Fitzpatrick Referrals, United Kingdom