The human immunodeficiency virus: knowledge and precautions among anesthesiology personnel

To compare actual infectious disease precautions with current recommendations and to determine the influence of age, clinical experience, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge, previous personal HIV exposure, and education on practices.

Direct clinical observations of infectious precautions and preeducation and posteducation surveys of clinical practices and general knowledge of the HIV.

University teaching hospital.

Forty-six anesthesia department members completed a preeducation survey, and 24 completed a posteducation survey.

The survey showed that adequate precautions were used during less than 50% of the routine procedures. Significant positive correlations were found between years of clinical practice and precautions used while inserting vascular catheters. Significant positive correlation was found between years of clinical practice and precautions taken while handling soiled laryngoscopes. Knowledge about the HIV and HIV transmission was limited. We noted a negative correlation between knowledge and precautions during vascular cannulation procedures, emergency department resuscitation, and tracheal suction. More precautions were taken with patients who had proven HIV infections and those at high risk of infection. The posteducation survey demonstrated a significant increase only in the use of gloves during routine procedures. Knowledge scores were only slightly improved and did not significantly reflect infection control practices.

Adequate infectious disease precautions were not taken by anesthesia personnel. An HIV educational program resulted in only a small increase in precautionary measures.