What is the level and incidence of extrinsic contamination of lipid-formulated intravenous anaesthetics (propofol and etomidate) during clinical use?
The incidence of extrinsic contamination of lipid-formulated propofol and etomidate during clinical use is low, though strict aseptic precautions remain necessary.
Reports about post-operative infections associated with the use of propofol prompted us to investigate the in-use contamination of lipid-formulated intravenous (i.v.) anaesthetics used for general anaesthesia or for sedation of intensive care patients in this department. The level and incidence of extrinsic contamination of propofol ('Diprivan') and of another intravenous anaesthetic, etomidate, formulated in lipid solution ('Etomidat-lipuro') was found to be low during two study periods. However, the need to observe strict aseptic precautions in handling these intravenous drugs must be emphasized.
Bach et al. (Sat,) studied this question.