An Evaluation of a Bacteriostatic Heat and Moisture Exchanger vs a Nonbacteriostatic Heat and Moisture Exchanger in Preventing the Transmission of Bacteria Colony-Forming Units from the Endotracheal Tube to the Anesthesia Breathing Circuit

Abstract

Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs) have been used for over 30 years for heat and moisture retention. Studies about bacteriostatic HMEs (BHMEs/NHMEs) have been conducted to assess their role in preventing bacterial transmission to the anesthesia breathing circuit (ABC); none have been done on anesthetized OR patients. This study adds to existing knowledge about the effect of HMEs in preventing transmission of bacteria with implications for cost reduction resulting from reuse of ABCs between patients. This quasi-experimental study involved adults (n=99) undergoing general endotracheal anesthesia for elective procedures. Subjects were randomly assigned to BHME or NHME groups. The appropriate HME was placed between the endotracheal tube (ETT) and ABC. At the conclusion of the case, the ETT and ABC were washed in a clinical laboratory. The wash was cultured to determine presence of bacteria. Cultures were described as positive or negative for Bacteria Colony-Forming Units (BCFUs); alpha level was p < .05, with a power of .80. The Chi square test revealed no statistically significant differences between groups in transmission of bacteria from ETT to Y-connector (p = .485). However, both groups showed statistically significant differences between presence of bacteria in ETTs and ABCs: BHME (p <.005) and NHME (p <.005). Neither MHE prevented contamination of the machine side of the circuit. These results support not reusing breathing circuits. Of 53 subjects in the NHME group, 28 had positive Eli cultures with 7 showing transmission to ABC. Of 46 subjects in the BHME group, 28 had positive ETT cultures with 9 showing transmission to ABC.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA426952

Entities

People

  • Jerri R. Goodman
  • John P. Hlavnicka
  • Michael W. Neft

Organizations

  • University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anesthesia
  • Bacteria
  • Chi Square Test
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Science
  • Health Services
  • Hospitals
  • Infection Control
  • Information Science
  • Medical Personnel
  • Microorganisms
  • Patient Care
  • Spores
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Tests
  • Surgery
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery.
  • Infectious Disease/Epidemiology