RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Anaesthetic drug administration as a potential contributor to healthcare-associated infections: a prospective simulation-based evaluation of aseptic techniques in the administration of anaesthetic drugs
JF BMJ Quality & Safety
JO BMJ Qual Saf
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 826
OP 834
DO 10.1136/bmjqs-2012-000814
VO 21
IS 10
A1 Derryn A Gargiulo
A1 Janie Sheridan
A1 Craig S Webster
A1 Simon Swift
A1 Jane Torrie
A1 Jennifer Weller
A1 Kaylene Henderson
A1 Jacqueline Hannam
A1 Alan F Merry
YR 2012
UL http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/21/10/826.abstract
AB Objective To evaluate the possibility that anaesthetists are administering potentially pathogenic micro-organisms to their patients. Design Prospective microbiological and observational study in a realistic simulated setting. Participants Ten anaesthetists supported by 10 anaesthetic technicians. Primary outcome measure The presence or absence of organisms cultured from sterile intravenous bags used to collect drugs injected during the simulated cases and from the needles and the contents of the syringes used. The authors also observed the aseptic techniques used. Results Organisms were isolated from five of 38 (13%) bags from five of 20 simulated cases anaesthetised by four of 10 anaesthetists, 10 of 197 (5%) syringes and six of 17 (35%) needles. None of the anaesthetists washed their hands prior to entry, used the hand gel provided, disinfected the phial septa before drawing up drugs or disinfected the intravenous ports on the intravenous administration set before use. One was seen to recap a needle left on a syringe for possible reuse. Three participants were observed to place equipment such as stethoscopes, drug charts and pens on top of their inuse drug trays. Conclusion The administration of intravenous drugs during anaesthesia may be an important factor in the genesis (or potentially the prevention) of healthcare-associated infection. These observations suggest room for improvement in the aseptic techniques of at least some anaesthetists when preparing and administering intravenous drugs. Confirmation of these findings in clinical settings is needed. Study registry number (for the VASER study) Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: Ref: ACTRN 12609000530224, https://www.anzctr.org.au/registry/trial_review.aspx?ID=308128; note that the work presented here is a subset of the registered trial and its outcomes were not included in this registration.