Biomaterial Database

Blood contamination of anesthesia equipment and monitoring equipment. 1994

J R Hall

Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.

This study was conducted to determine the extent of blood contamination of anesthesia equipment and monitoring equipment in clinical use in operating rooms. The study employed a catalytic-test method, which is used in forensic medicine, to detect blood contamination of anesthesia equipment and monitoring equipment. Nineteen definable surfaces were sampled in 22 operating rooms. Thirty-three percent of surfaces were contaminated with blood. Contaminated equipment included surfaces that are in continuous contact with patients, e.g., blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeter probes. Visual inspection was not a reliable means of detecting blood contamination. Whether this blood contamination represents an infection risk was not determined. Nevertheless, improved cleaning and disinfection procedures are probably needed. Equipment design needs to focus on reducing the potential for blood contamination and enhancing capability for cleaning and disinfection.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009873	Operating Rooms	Facilities equipped for performing surgery.	Operating Room,Room, Operating,Rooms, Operating
D001769	Blood	The body fluid that circulates in the vascular system (BLOOD VESSELS). Whole blood includes PLASMA and BLOOD CELLS.
D004866	Equipment Contamination	The presence of an infectious agent on instruments, prostheses, or other inanimate articles.	Contamination, Equipment,Contaminations, Equipment,Equipment Contaminations
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000761	Anesthesia Department, Hospital	Hospital department responsible for the administration of functions and activities pertaining to the delivery of anesthetics.	Hospital Anesthesia Department,Hospital Anesthesia-Resuscitation Department,Anesthesia Department,Anesthesia-Resuscitation Department, Hospital,Anesthesia Departments,Anesthesia Departments, Hospital,Anesthesia Resuscitation Department, Hospital,Anesthesia-Resuscitation Departments, Hospital,Department, Anesthesia,Department, Hospital Anesthesia,Department, Hospital Anesthesia-Resuscitation,Departments, Anesthesia,Departments, Hospital Anesthesia,Departments, Hospital Anesthesia-Resuscitation,Hospital Anesthesia Departments,Hospital Anesthesia Resuscitation Department,Hospital Anesthesia-Resuscitation Departments
D000776	Anesthesiology	A specialty concerned with the study of anesthetics and anesthesia.
D016273	Occupational Exposure	The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation.	Exposure, Occupational,Exposures, Occupational,Occupational Exposures