Monsel’s Solution: A Potential Vector for Nosocomial Infection?

• Published in: Infection control and hospital epidemiology Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 142 - 144
• Main Authors: Rupp, Mark E., Medcalf, Sharon J., Fey, Paul D., Handke, Luke D., Marion, Nedra D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare, NJ The University of Chicago Press 01-02-2003; Slack; Cambridge University Press
• Subjects: Bacterial Infections - etiology; Bacterial Infections - microbiology; Bacterial Infections - transmission; Biological and medical sciences; Blood; Chemical suspensions; Colony Count, Microbial; Concise Communications; Cross Infection - etiology; Cross Infection - microbiology; Disease transmission; Drug Contamination; Drug Storage - methods; Drug Storage - standards; Epidemiology; Ferric Compounds - adverse effects; Ferric Compounds - analysis; General aspects; Hemostatics; Hemostatics - adverse effects; Hemostatics - analysis; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Humans; Infection control; Infection Control - standards; Infections; Infectious diseases; Inoculation; Medical sciences; Microbial growth; Nosocomial infection; Pollution surveys; Risk; Skin; Sulfates - adverse effects; Sulfates - analysis; Time Factors; Human; Nosocomial infection; Local administration; Hemostatic; Risk factor; Transmission mode; Vector; Solution
• ISSN: 0899-823X; 1559-6834
• DOI: 10.1086/502180

Monsel’s solution is a common topically applied hemostatic agent used in minor dermatologic and gynecologic surgery. Clinically, because it is often stored for long periods and dispensed from a common source for multiple patients, Monsel’s solution is a potential vector for transmission of infection. However, microbiologic inoculation studies and contamination surveys indicate that Monsel’s solution has properties that prohibit microbial growth, making it an unlikely vector for nosocomial infection.