Infection control in anaesthesia in regional, tertiary and central hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. Part 2: Equipment contamination

Objectives: Contaminated anaesthetic equipment has been implicated in the nosocomial transmission of infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of blood (occult or visible) and/or visible organic material contamination of anaesthetic equipment deemed to be ready for use in theatres in regional, tertiary and central hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal.Design: All hospitals that were classified as regional, tertiary and central hospitals on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health website were visited (n = 15). Laryngoscope blades and handles, Magill's forceps, nasopharyngeal temperature probes and suction bowls were inspected for visible blood and/or organic matter. Those items that were not visibly contaminated were further tested for occult blood using the blood detector in urinalysis reagent strips.Setting and subjects: All hospitals that were classified as regional, tertiary and central hospitals on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health website were visited (n = 15).Results: The percentages of contamination with blood (occult or visible) and/or visible organic material of all examined laryngoscope blades, laryngoscope handles, Magill's forceps, nasopharyngeal temperature probes, and suction bowls, were 80% (45.5–100%), 74% (42.8–100%), 50% (0–100%), 80% (0–100%) and 90% (0–100%), respectively.Conclusion: The contamination of ready-for-use anaesthesia equipment was extremely high. In light of the high prevalence of many infectious diseases in KwaZulu-Natal, and in particular human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and tuberculosis, urgent tackling of the issue of reuse of contaminated equipment is critical.