Respirator and Anaesthesia Equipment

Patients on respirator treatment (respirator, ventilator, anaesthesia machines) are in a special situation where infection control is extremely important to prevent serious lower tract infections. The trachea is a sterile, semi-critical area and should be treated as such. All equipment and fluids introduced, passing the patient’s vocal cords, should therefore be steriled to prevent lower respiratory tract infection. New respirator systems are launched each year, technically improving, but often more and more complicated concerning hygiene and infection control. Hygienic principles described in this chapter should be followed with regard to cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing all types of respiratory equipment.