The risk of infection in anaesthetic practice

Infectious hazards to anaesthesia personnel are real but the appropriate use of immunization, universal blood and body fluid precautions, and respiratory precautions where appropriate, should minimize the risk of infection at work. In particular, the resistance of physicians to immunization, especially to hepatitis B, needs to be changed. Protection against other blood-borne pathogens for which immunization is not available, such as HIV, may also depend on the willingness of anaesthesia personnel to accept and carry out recommendations for universal blood and body fluid precautions. Regulatory agencies and compensation boards are likely to look closely at adherence to established guidelines when determining benefits for work-related infections. Complaints that the routine use of gloves interferes with anaesthetic practice are frequent but unacceptable in the current climate and it behooves the profession to ensure that compliance with currently accepted infection control guidelines is complete.