Abstract
The local treatment of the nose by otolaryngologists is important and the devices should be sterile, but spray nozzles can't always be changed for every patient. We studied the bacterial condition of spray nozzles, culturing them four times after medical treatment. Spray nozzles were sterilized using 70%ethanol wipes before outpatient care. Cultures 1 and 2 were done using 70%ethanol wipes only before outpatient care and cultured after the last medical treatment. Culture 3 was done using 70%ethanol wipes during medical treatment 1.5 hours after starting medical treatment and bacterial inspection was done immediately after the last medical treatment. In culture 4 the nozzles were wiped by 70%ethanol after the last medical treatment and bacterial inspection was done one hour after the wiping. Various bacteria, including MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) were detected after medical treatment even if nozzles were sterilized using 70%ethanol wipes during medical treatment. Bacteria were not detected after nozzles were sterilized using 70%ethanol wipes after the last medical examination. We concluded that using a nasal spray nozzle for more than one person risked cross-infection, and that spray nozzles should be wiped using 70%ethanol for every patient.
