Sharpies: Out of the Office and Into the OR?

Single-use sterile pens for marking surgical sites may not be the most effective products for infection control. Canadian researchers at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry report that sterile markers with non-alcohol nibs did not kill four types of bacteria that can cause surgical site infections, while the alcohol in the nibs of Sharpie markers sold in office supply stores killed the bacteria.

The Sharpie pens can be reused, which can save surgical facilities thousands of dollars each year, say the researchers. "As long as surgeons or their designate wipe off the outside of the pens after each use, they don't have to throw them out," Sarah Forgie, MD, professor in the department of pediatrics, told the University of Alberta Express News. "There is a cost savings, and, most importantly, the markers are still safe for the patient."

Dr. Forgie and her colleagues liberally contaminated the nibs of Sharpies and one brand of single-use sterile markers. After re-capping the pens and letting them sit for 24 hours, the alcohol-based Sharpie nibs were no longer contaminated, while the non-alcohol nibs were still contaminated.

The results of the study led to a change in policy at Alberta Health Services.

—Kent Steinriede