A Simulation Study to Evaluate Improvements in Anesthesia Work Environment Contamination After Implementation of an Infection Prevention Bundle

Abstract

Our results support the concept of an infection prevention bundle in reducing AWE contamination. Anesthesia providers deliver care in a unique environment in which "clean" and "contaminated" tasks are performed rapidly and often in parallel. Linking hand hygiene to specific high-impact tasks such as administering medications, designating areas for contaminated equipment, and double gloving before airway management are simple steps that can be implemented rapidly and are compatible with timely patient care. Our study has improved awareness of infection prevention issues in our department, and has highlighted simple and achievable actions that have the potential to reduce health care-associated infections.

Simulation with a colour indicator to help reduce contamination during airway management in COVID-19 times: An experience from a tertiary centre in India

“…The laryngoscope handle and the face mask were universally contaminated as found in the study by Porteous et al . ;[ 19 ] thus, there was no difference in baseline and post-debrief. The bed linen and head pillow had high contamination rates because the contaminated face mask was placed on the linen instead of in a disposable bag.…”

“…[ 16 ] Prior to the pandemic too, there have been simulation studies that focused on the reduction of contamination in the OR. [ 10 19 ] For specialities dealing with aerosol-generating procedures, these studies have taken on an urgent application.…”

Prediction of Contaminated Areas Using Ultraviolet Fluorescence Markers for Medical Simulation: A Mobile Phone Application Approach

“…Ultraviolet fluorescence markers have been used in the medical field for many years, including training simulations, infection control [1,2], dermal contaminations in occupational hygiene [3], and fluorescence staining in microbial cells [4]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing numbers of healthcare workers used ultraviolet fluorescence markers to replace pathogens or secretions and detect regions of contamination [5].…”

Hand-to-Environment Contact during Indoor Activities in Senior Welfare Centers among Korean Older Adults: A Pilot Study

“…Environmental surfaces can be easily contaminated with pathogens such as bacteria, fungus, and viruses by contact, either droplet or airborne [1]. Hand contact is the most common transmission mode of these pathogens [2,3].…”