EFHSS Questions and Answers - Answer to Question Q00514

Dear s/m,

I'm studying to be an operating room nurse. For my study I'm writing a report about the incidence of and problems (=infections for the patient?) related to the use of poorly cleaned sterilized instruments or materials. Any information or report related to this matter will be very much appreciated.

Regards, Richeline

Dear Richeline

Surgical infections account for about 20 percent heahlthcare-aquired infections. There are no reports or data documenting how many of those infections result from unclean or unsterile convential instruments/devices used in general surgery.
Better documented are infections transmitted by endoscopic/laparoscopic surgery. There have been many cases where scopes had been used that were not properly / thoroughly cleaned that have resulted in infections, and in some cases death.
Iatrogenic Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease transmission is another potential risk.There are known cases of CJD transmitted by contaminated surgical equipment. The abnormal prion has been found in the tonsillar tissue of a patient later diagnosed with vCJD. leading to the concern that the disease may be transmissible via surgical instruments. This led to recommendations in the UK to use single-use instruments for tonsillectomy.
I hope this is is of some help.

Best wishes
Josy Holdener

Dear,

In the presentation Dr Arzu SAYINER gave at the EFHSS conference :
"Infection control and Sterilization unit", you can find some data concerning your topic. You find it on our Education pages under EFHSS Conference 2004 Izmir/Cesme, Turkey.

Good luck,
Wim Renders