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Is it safe to use preprepared endotracheal tubes in the resuscitation room?
1Accident and Emergency Department, Addenbrooke's NHS Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Objective:
To investigate the bacteriological safety of preprepared endotracheal tubes in accident and emergency departments.
Methods:
Swabs were taken and cultured from luminal and exterior surfaces of every preprepared exposed endotracheal tube in a hospital resuscitation room.
Results:
Coagulase negative staphylococci (common skin commensals) were isolated from 50% of the tubes. No other bacteria were isolated.
Conclusions:
The practice of leaving preprepared airway equipment exposed in the resuscitation room is unlikely to contribute to the development of nosocomial pneumonia, provided the equipment is kept dry and that personnel minimize handling.
Insights
Preprepared endotracheal tubes in emergency departments showed minimal bacterial contamination, primarily skin commensals. This suggests exposed airway equipment is unlikely to cause hospital-acquired pneumonia if kept dry and handled minimally.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Disease Control
- Microbiology
Background:
- Preprepared endotracheal tubes are commonly used in emergency settings.
- Concerns exist regarding potential bacterial contamination of exposed airway equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the bacteriological safety of preprepared endotracheal tubes in accident and emergency departments.
- To determine the microbial load on exposed endotracheal tubes.
Main Methods:
- Swabs were collected from the luminal and exterior surfaces of endotracheal tubes.
- Collected samples were cultured to identify bacterial presence.
Main Results:
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci, common skin bacteria, were found on 50% of the tubes.
- No other bacterial species were detected.
Conclusions:
- Exposed endotracheal tubes in resuscitation rooms pose a low risk for nosocomial pneumonia.
- Maintaining dryness and minimizing handling of equipment are crucial for safety.