Methods of decontamination of anaesthetic equipment: daily sessional exchange of circuits.
Sampling of untreated anaesthetic circuits showed heavy bacterial contamination. Daily or twice daily sessional exchange of circuits (i.e. use of one circuit for up to nine patients) considerably reduced the extent of contamination. Equipment was effectively treated by steam at high or low temperature or by immersion in glutaraldehyde. Steam at high temperature (134 degrees C) damaged reservoir bags on repeated treatment, whereas low temperature steam (68 degrees C) was satisfactory. Treatment with glutaraldehyde was also satisfactory, but slightly less reliable and its smell was difficult to remove from the equipment after repeated immersion.
D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006113:United Kingdom