Following the report by the N.S.W. Health Department of five cases of nosocomial hepatitis C infection allegedly caused by contaminated circuitry, a revision of the existing infection control policy was undertaken. Review of the existing policies of other organizations and the published scientific data in this area was the basis of the revision. The final policy as it pertains to anaesthesia requires universal precautions, disposal or decontamination and high level disinfection of instruments and apparatus that come into contact with patients or blood or body substances and protection of the breathing circuit by a filter with disposal or high-level disinfection of all parts of the circuit not so protected for every patient.
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ChantK, LoweD, RubinG, et al. Patient to Patient Transmission of HIV in a Private Consulting Room. (Letter). Lancet1993; 342:1548–9.
4.
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.Statement on AIDS and Hepatitis. ANZCA, Melbourne1994.
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National Health and Medical Research Council/Australian National Council on AIDS.Infection Control in Office Practice: Medical, Dental and Allied Health. Canberra, Aust Gov Printing Service, 1994.
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American Society of Anesthesiologists.Recommendations for Infection Control for the Practice of Anesthesiology. American Society of Anesthesiologists, Park Ridge, Illinois, 1992.
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American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.Infection Control Guide. American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Park Ridge, Illinois, 1993.
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Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.HIV and Other Blood Borne Viruses—Guidance for Anaesthetists. Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Dec. 1992.
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12.
MurphyPM, FitzgeorgeRB, BarrettRF.Viability and distribution of bacteria after passage through a circle anaesthetic system. Br J Anaesth1991; 66:300–304.
13.
IbrahimJJ, PercevalAK.Contamination of Anaesthetic Tubing—a Real Hazard?Anaesth Intens Care1992; 20:317–321.
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FeeleyTW, HamiltonWK, ZavierB, et al. Sterile anesthesia circuits do not prevent postoperative pulmonary infection. Anesthesiology1981; 54:369–372.
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GaribaldiRA, BrittMR, WebsterC, et al. Failure of bacterial filters to reduce the incidence of pneumonia after inhalational anesthesia. Anesthesiology1981; 54:364–368.
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du MoulinGC, SaubermannAJ.The anesthesia machine and circle system are not likely to be sources of bacterial contamination. Anesthesiology1977; 47:353–358.
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HedleyRM, Allt-GrahamJ.A comparison of the filtration properties of heat and moisture exchangers. Anaesthesia1992; 47:414–420.
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LeeMG, FordJL, HuntPB, IrelandDS, SwansonPW.Bacterial retention. Properties of heat and moisture exchange filters. Br J Anaesth1992; 69:522–525.
19.
N.S.W. Department Infection Control Policy.N.S.W. Health Department 1995 circular 95/13.
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Australian Society of Anaesthetists: ASA Policy Document—Anaesthesia and HIV, and Anaesthesia and Hepatitis B and C. Australian Society of Anaesthetists, Sydney, September 1994.
21.
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.Policy on Infection Control in Anaesthesia. Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Policy Document, P28, Melbourne, February 1995.
