High-quality filtration allows reuse of anesthesia breathing circuits resulting in cost savings and reduced medical waste.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the new Filta-Therm filter prevents contamination and allows the reuse of breathing circuit with considerable cost and environmental savings.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
52 ASA physical status I, II, III, and IV patients, aged 18 to 75 years.


METHODS
Each morning a new breathing circuit was assembled. The Filta-Therm filter (Intersurgical, Inc., Liverpool, NY) elbow, and mask, but not the circuit, were changed between patients. The filter was placed between the Y-piece and the elbow of the breathing circuit. Prior to anesthesia, samples were obtained at the Y-piece, and the inspiratory and expiratory ports of breathing circuit. Following anesthesia, samples were obtained at the Murphy eye of endotrachael tube, and at the Y-piece. The samples were incubated, and the results examined at 24 and 48 hours.


RESULTS
Prior to anesthesia, cultures of the Y-piece and the inspired and expired ports samples showed no growth. Following anesthesia, all 52 samples obtained at the endotracheal tube were contaminated with various organisms, while all 52 Y-piece samples showed negative growth.


CONCLUSIONS
The single use of Filta-Therm filter prevents bacterial contamination and allows reuse of breathing circuit at least twice, resulting in significant cost savings ($50,778 per year). Further studies are needed to establish the safety of reusing breathing circuits when appropriate bacterial filters are used.
Daggan
R
R
Department of Anesthesiology, Cooper Health System, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, USA.
Zefeiridis
A
A
Steinberg
D
D
Larijani
G
G
Gratz
I
I
Goldberg
M E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017046:Cost Savings; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation; D008506:Medical Waste / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009343:Neisseria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013499:Surface Properties
D008506:Medical Waste; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal