Microbial contamination of the surface of isolation gowns in nursing care exposed to droplet and its coutermeasure

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K10571
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58050:Fundamental of nursing-related
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi
• Principal Investigator: Fuminori Tanabe 山梨大学, 大学院総合研究部, 特任教授 (80217108)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 森本 美智子 岡山県立大学, 保健福祉学部, 教授 (60342002)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 個人防護具 / ガウン / 飛沫 / 微生物汚染 / 口腔ケア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A questionnaire survey of nurses revealed that the most common procedure for removing personal protective equipment was to remove gloves first, but there were also responses that removed gowns and goggles first, and the procedure was not consistent. Approximately 20% of nurses had problems putting on and removing PPE, citing the risk of touching contaminated areas when removing the equipment. It was found that even though nurses were aware of droplet contamination, they still wore sleeveless aprons, which posed a risk of infection. In addition, the results of an experiment on the adhesion of 3 types of bacteria and phages in simulated saliva to gown surface showed that waterproof gowns and had a higher adhesion rate for microorganisms than were water-repellent and plastic. These results suggest that when putting on a waterproof gown, it is necessary to be aware of contamination on the gown surface and remove it in the correct procedure.

Free Research Field

感染制御　感染看護

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

看護師に対する質問紙調査により、飛沫に暴露する危険がある看護ケアにおける個人防護具の使用上の問題点や課題が明らかとなり、それを改善することにより今後の感染対策につながることが期待できる。また、微生物実験でガウン表面に飛沫が付着した際のガウンの素材による微生物付着性の違いが明らかとなり、看護ケアの内容に合わせて、より適切なガウンを選択し、医療者の二次感染を防止することに貢献できる。さらに、微生物付着の少ないガウン素材の開発にもつながることが期待できる。