Effect of an infection control educational programme on anaesthetists’ attitude and anaesthetic field bacterial contamination

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the impact of an infection control educational programme in anaesthetic practice on the clinical performance of the personnel working in anaesthetic field and anaesthetic work place bacterial contamination. Methods This study was conducting on 35 personnel involved in 500 operations over two and half months. Their compliance towards handling of anaesthetic equipments, wearing of protective tools and hand hygiene was evaluated using a 13 items check list pre and post delivering of an educational infection control programme (intervention). Of 500 operations 300 were randomly selected for evaluation of bacterial contamination. Two swabs were taken from anaesthetic place before induction of general anaesthesia (T0) and 30 min intraoperative (T1) pre and post intervention. Another swab was taking from anaesthetists’ hands 15 min after induction of anaesthesia (T2). Results The intervention programme influenced positively the attitude of junior anaesthetists and nurses regarding the proper use of protective tools, anaesthetic equipments and hand hygiene. Senior anaesthestists’ compliance with hand hygiene, frequency use of gloves and anaesthetic filter did not change after intervention. But their attitude towards handling of laryngoscope, anaesthetic face mask and catheter for suction improved after intervention. The adherence of housekeepers to hand hygiene, frequency of gloves use and anaesthetic equipments’ disinfection improved significantly after intervention. Ninety-two (63%) swabs were positive for bacteria at T0 before intervention. They reduced to 9 (6.3%) positive swabs after intervention. The number of positive swabs at T1 was 121 (82.9%) before intervention, reduced to 68 (47.2%) after intervention. One hundred and eight (74%) swabs from hands of anaesthetists were positive for bacteria before intervention. They lowered significantly to 55 (38.2%) after intervention. Bacterial cross infection between anaesthetic machine and anaesthetists’ hands existed pre and post intervention. In conclusion, infection control programme enhanced personnel clinical compliance and reduced bacterial contamination in anaesthetic place.