Ann. occup. Hyg., Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 341-346, 1991
© 1991 British Occupational Hygiene Society
Published by Oxford University Press
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CASE REPORT OF CONTAMINATED OPERATING THEATRE MULTI PURPOSE EQUIPMENT: A POTENTIAL HAZARD FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS
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* Staffordshire County Council, 15 Tipping Street, Stafford ST16 2LN, U.K.
Department of Occupational Medicine, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
The problem of bacterial contamination of clinical and operating equipment is well recognized [ CLAYMAN et J. Cataract Refract. Surg. 12, 158–161 (1986); MAGNUssON et al., J. Hosp. Infect. 7, 86–90 (1986)] and appropriate methods are available for ensuring adequate cleanliness.
Operating theatre equipment may contain complex electro-mechanical technology which requires substantial ‘down time’ for maintenance and cleaning. Often this is not built into operating theatre schedules and problems can occur. Opportunistic bacteria may colonize surfaces in semi- sealed parts of equipment where, since these areas are not normally subject to cleaning procedures, their growth may go undetected. This could have serious clinical consequences. While the risk to patients is obvious [ et al., J. Hyg., Camb. 83,41–57 (1979)] theatre and maintenance staff may also be at risk, particularly if they have well controlled chronic disease which could predispose them to opportunistic infection.
We describe bacterial contamination in the pump unit and exhaust of a combined electro surgical/suction/fibre light unit commonly used in operating theatres throughout the U.K. A method of ensuring acceptable freedom from bacterial contamination is discussed.