Practical Approaches to Reducing Cross-Contamination

Abstract

Features| August 2022 Practical Approaches to Reducing Cross-Contamination Barry Swerdlow, MD, FASA; Barry Swerdlow, MD, FASA Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Harriet W. Hopf, MD, FUHM, FASA Harriet W. Hopf, MD, FUHM, FASA Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar ASA Monitor August 2022, Vol. 86, 23. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000855668.67412.6a Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Search Site Citation Barry Swerdlow, Harriet W. Hopf; Practical Approaches to Reducing Cross-Contamination. ASA Monitor 2022; 86:23 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000855668.67412.6a Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll PublicationsASA Monitor Search Advanced Search Topics: anesthesia machine, gloves, protective, pathogenic organism, perioperative care, washing hands, infectious disease prevention / control, professors, therapeutics, infections, laryngoscopes Anesthesiologists and patients are at risk for cross-contamination and cross-infection during routine clinical care (Clinical Anesthesia. 2017; Anesth Analg 2020;131:37-42; Curr Anesthesiol Rep 2020;10:233-41; J Anesth 2020;34:575-84). The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic emphasized the risk of such perioperative transmission (Anesth Analg 2020;131:37-42; Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2021;35:1503-8). In this article, we review practical considerations related to these hazards. Hand hygiene, including hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, and appropriate use of gloves, reduces transmission of pathogens to patients and protects anesthesia providers from spread of disease via fomites, secretions, and blood (Clinical Anesthesia. 2017; Anesth Analg 2020;131:37-42; Curr Anesthesiol Rep 2020;10:233-41). Alcohol-based hand sanitizer, either body-worn or placed in proximity to the anesthesia machine, enhances compliance with hand hygiene protocols and reduces postoperative infection rates (Clinical Anesthesia. 2017; Anesth Analg 2020;131:37-42; Curr Anesthesiol Rep 2020;10:233-41). Gloves are... You do not currently have access to this content.