The Dynamics and Implications of Bacterial Transmission Events Arising from the Anesthesia Work Area. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loftus, Randy W.; Koff, Matthew D.; Birnbach, David J.
• Is Part Of: Anesthesia & analgesia. Volume 120:Number 4(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; Anesthesia; Anesthesiology; Analgesia; Analgesics; Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000000505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2999

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <p>Health care–associated infections are a hospital-wide concern associated with a significant increase in patient morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Bacterial transmission in the anesthesia work area of the operating room environment is a root cause of 30-day postoperative infections affecting as many as 16% of patients undergoing surgery. A better understanding of anesthesia-related bacterial transmission dynamics may help to generate improvements in intraoperative infection control and improve patient safety.</p> </sec> </abstract>