Introduction:
Anesthetic procedures are commonly performed in the field of medicine. However, intraoperative bacterial transmission poses a significant threat to patient health. Recent research suggests that hand contamination among anesthetic personnel is a crucial risk factor for bacterial transmission during surgery.
Methods:
The study focused on Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, a level III nursing and level I trauma center with 400 inpatient beds and 28 operating rooms. Ninety-two pairs of surgical cases, totaling 164 cases, were randomly selected for analysis. Using a previously validated protocol, researchers identified cases of intraoperative bacterial transmission to the intravenous stopcock device and the anesthesia environment. They then compared these transmitted organisms with those isolated from the hands of anesthesia providers to determine the impact of hand contamination. Additionally, the effectiveness of current intraoperative cleaning protocols was evaluated.
Results:
The study revealed that among the 164 cases, 11.5% exhibited intraoperative bacterial transmission to the intravenous stopcock device, with 47% of the transmission attributed to healthcare providers. Furthermore, intraoperative bacterial transmission to the anesthesia environment was observed in 89% of the cases, with 12% of the transmission caused by healthcare providers. The study also identified that the number of operating rooms supervised by the attending anesthesiologist, patient age, and patient transfer from the operating room to the intensive care unit were independent predictive factors for bacterial transmission, unrelated to the providers.
Discussion and Significance:
The study’s findings underscore the significance of hand contamination among anesthetic personnel in the contamination of the operating room environment and intravenous stopcock devices. Bacterial transmission events caused by healthcare providers accounted for a substantial proportion of intraoperative transmission, posing potential risks to patient health. Therefore, further investigation into other sources of intraoperative bacterial transmission and strengthening intraoperative cleaning practices is necessary.
finally, hand contamination among anesthetic personnel is a significant risk factor for intraoperative bacterial transmission. By implementing appropriate preventive measures such as regular handwashing, proper glove usage, Choosing the right anesthesia machine disinfection equipment and the use of effective disinfectants, the risk of bacterial transmission can be reduced. These findings are crucial for improving cleanliness and hygiene standards in the operating room, ultimately enhancing patient safety.
Article citation source:
Loftus RW, Muffly MK, Brown JR, Beach ML, Koff MD, Corwin HL, Surgenor SD, Kirkland KB, Yeager MP. Hand contamination of anesthesia providers is an important risk factor for intraoperative bacterial transmission. Anesth Analg. 2011 Jan;112(1):98-105. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181e7ce18. Epub 2010 Aug 4. PMID: 20686007
