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. 2018 Jul-Aug;8(4):327-332.
doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_10_18. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

Detection of Visually Imperceptible Blood Contamination in the Oral Surgical Clinic using Forensic Luminol Blood Detection Agent

Raniah Abdullah Al-Eid  1 , Sundar Ramalingam  1 , Chalini Sundar  2 , Mona Aldawsari  3 , Nasser Nooh  1
Affiliations

Detection of Visually Imperceptible Blood Contamination in the Oral Surgical Clinic using Forensic Luminol Blood Detection Agent

Raniah Abdullah Al-Eid et al. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2018 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Aim and objectives: Oral surgical procedures can cause spread of infections in the clinics through visually imperceptible, splattered, and aerosolized blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate visually imperceptible blood contamination of clinical surfaces and personal protective equipment (PPE) in an oral surgery clinic using luminol.

Materials and methods: Following ethical approval, oral surgical procedures were performed under local anesthesia in a disinfected clinic, and PPE was used by the oral surgeon, dental assistant, and patients. After the procedure, clinical surfaces and PPE were evaluated for traces of visually imperceptible blood contamination using luminol. Data regarding blood contamination and the duration of the procedure were collected. Nonparametric tests, with 95% significance level (Epi Info, Stat Calc 7, CDC, Atlanta, USA), were used to identify statistical interactions between the duration of the procedure and the frequency of blood contamination.

Results: Blood contamination was detected in flooring below surgical field (86.67%), instrument tray, operating light, dental chair, and suction unit (100%). Except head caps and shoe covers, blood contamination was detected in all the PPE used by the clinical personnel, and the eyewear and chest drapes used by patients. An increase in the surgical time beyond 40 min significantly increased the risk of blood contamination in the handcuffs of the clinical personnel (P < 0.01).

Discussion and conclusion: Visually imperceptible blood contamination of the clinical surfaces and PPE is associated with minor oral surgical procedures. This mandates the cleaning and disinfection of all clinical surfaces before and after minor oral surgical procedures and PPE for clinicians and patients during every procedure.

Keywords: Aerosols; blood contamination; luminol; oral surgery; splatter.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Subsites in the dental clinic identified for detecting blood contamination through aerosols and splatter. (tabletop for files and stationery - 1, 6, 11; table for instruments and disposable – 5, 10, 15; flooring behind the dental chair (including the operator's and assistant's chairs) - 2, 3, 4; instrument tray and handpiece unit - 7; operating light and dental chair armrests - 8; cuspidor and suction unit - 9; and flooring in front of dental chair - 12, 13, 14)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Bar graph showing the frequency of blood contamination in: (a) Clinical subsites, (b) Personal protective equipment used by the oral surgeon, (c) Personal protective equipment used by the dental assistant and (d) Personal protective equipment used by the patient
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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