Decontamination of instruments and control of cross infection in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of decontamination procedures in general practice.


METHODS
Anonymous postal questionnaire survey of 600 general practitioners randomly selected from the national register.


METHODS
General practices throughout the United Kingdom.


METHODS
382 General practitioners, a response rate of 65%.


RESULTS
186 General practitioners had autoclaves but 125 used hot water disinfectors or chemical disinfectants to reprocess instruments. 22% (474/2132) Of high risk instruments were inadequately decontaminated. Decontamination was performed by the practice nurse or receptionist in 306 practices. Knowledge of treatment of spillages of blood fluids was uncertain, and only 114 general practitioners used effective methods for dealing with spillages.


CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive central code of practice for control of infection is needed for primary health care staff.
Morgan
D R
DR
Professional and Scientific Division, British Medical Association, London.
Lamont
T J
TJ
Dawson
J D
JD
Booth
C
C
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003666:Decontamination; D004203:Disinfection; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom