Munoz-Price LS, et al. (2019). Infection prevention in the operating room anesthesia work area. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 2019, 40, 1-17.
A growing body of literature has shown contamination in the anesthesia work area, including the anesthesia medical work cart, stopcocks, laryngeal masks and laryngoscope blades, touchscreens, and keyboards, as well as on providers’ hands, resulting in transmissions, healthcare-associated infections, and increased risk of patient mortality. This guidance provides recommendations specific to the anesthesia work area to improve infection prevention through HH, environmental disinfection, and implementation of effective improvement efforts.