English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Objectives: Contaminated anaesthetic equipment has been implicated in the nosocomial transmission of infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of blood (occult or visible) and/or visible organic material contamination of anaesthetic equipment deemed to be ready for use in theatres in regional, tertiary and central hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. Design: All hospitals that were classified as regional, tertiary and central hospitals on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health website were visited (n = 15). Laryngoscope blades and handles, Magill's forceps, nasopharyngeal temperature probes and suction bowls were inspected for visible blood and/or organic matter. Those items that were not visibly contaminated were further tested for occult blood using the blood detector in urinalysis reagent strips. Setting and subjects: All hospitals that were classified as regional, tertiary and central hospitals on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health website were visited (n = 15). Results: The percentages of contamination with blood (occult or visible) and/or visible organic material of all examined laryngoscope blades, laryngoscope handles, Magill's forceps, nasopharyngeal temperature probes, and suction bowls, were 80% (45.5–100%), 74% (42.8–100%), 50% (0–100%), 80% (0–100%) and 90% (0–100%), respectively. Conclusion: The contamination of ready-for-use anaesthesia equipment was extremely high. In light of the high prevalence of many infectious diseases in KwaZulu-Natal, and in particular human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and tuberculosis, urgent tackling of the issue of reuse of contaminated equipment is critical.

Infection control in anaesthesia in regional, tertiary and central hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. Part 2: Equipment contamination