Abstract
Outbreaks of Bacillus cereus attributable to hot towels (heated moist towels for body cleaning) continue to be reported, so microbial control and correct handling of hot towels are important issues. Our institution experienced an outbreak of B. cereus in 2003, which was believed to have originated from contaminated hot towels and improper handling of a body-cleaning towel cart. To comply with a request for resumption of use of hot towels for cleaning patients, the hot towels were evaluated in an effort to define operating instructions for the body-cleaning towel cart. Hot towels provided for patients were rented and delivered in a washed and dry condition. The towels were moistened in the facility and heated/warmed in the body-cleaning towel cart to be used for care of patients. The used towels were collected and retreated by the supplier for the next rental use. Towels prepared in this way were analyzed. The total number of contaminating microorganisms detected from these dry towels was about 106 cfu/towel and remained stable during a certain storage period. The D values for B. cereus in the microbial suspension taken from the towels were 100 min at 80°C and 10 min at 100°C. To determine the microbiocidal effect of the towel warming process in the body-cleaning towel cart, the Biological Indicator containing Bacillus spores (NAMSA) used for control of sterilization processes was inserted among the towels and treated in the usual way. Strains such as B. subtilis, B. pumilus and B. cereus excluding Geobacillus stearothermophilus were killed in this process. Therefore, use of the body-cleaning towel cart requires properly cleaned towels and heat treatment of towels containing a minimum amount of water to effectively control contamination of the hot towels.
