SURVEILLANCE OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF ANESTHESIA MACHINE AND PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS CANNULA DURING GENERAL ANESTHESIA

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Ch. Srinivas Rao,
Flat No. 4G, Rednam Alcazar,
Jail Road, Visakhapatnam.
E-mail: srinivasrao719@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Given the expanding role of the anesthesiologist as the “total perioperative physician,” the increasing number of invasive procedures performed by anesthesiologists, and the increase in the prevalence of emerging diseases, stringent attention to infection control practices is paramount. AIM: To find out the bacterial contamination of anesthesia machine and internal lumen of the injection port of peripheral intravenous cannula, and evaluation of its risk factors during general anesthesia procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 general anaesthesia procedures were selected randomly after the approval of ethics committee and informed consent from the patient. Samples were taken for bacterial culture on 2 sites in anesthesia machine (Adjustable pressure limiting valve {APL} and agent concentration dial of inhaled anesthetics{AD}) and internal lumen of the injection port of peripheral intravenous cannula before starting and after completion of procedures. Bacteria and colony count were identified according to standard laboratory methods. RESULTS: Adjustable pressure limiting valve area was contaminated with bacteria in 12% (6/50) before starting procedure and 34% (17/50) after completion of procedures. Agent concentration dial of inhaled anesthetic site was contaminated with bacteria in 10% (5/50) before starting procedure and 28% (14/50) after completion of procedures. Bacterial contamination occurred in the internal lumen of the injection port of peripheral intravenous cannula in 16% (8/50) during general anesthesia. Isolated bacteria in anesthesia machine and peripheral intra venous cannula sites are STAPHYLO COCCI, STREPTOCOCCI, MICRO COCCI, ENTERO COCCI, E.COLI, and PSEUDOMONAS. CONCLUSION: Bacterial contamination is significantly associated with procedure order in a day (bacterial contamination rate is increased from first procedure to fifth procedure in a day. It is significantly associated with surgical specialty highest in general surgery and lowest in orthopedic surgeries. Also, it is not associated with age, sex, physical class of patient and duration of procedure.

KEYWORDS: Bacterial contamination, Adjustable pressure limiting valve, Agent concentration dial of inhaled anesthetics, Intravenous cannula.