To the Editor:
Mecham's and Hopf's “A proposal to minimize work area contamination during induction” brought up some interesting points.1Preparing an area to isolate items contaminated during anesthesia induction is a good idea that deserves attention. However, we propose that the clean towel not be placed on the patient's chest, as depicted. Rather, the towel should be placed “at a site easily reached,” as the authors also suggested.1A towel on the chest, covered with contaminated and bulky items (such as gloves, mask, laryngoscope), will need to be moved to confirm endotracheal tube position via auscultation of breath sounds and the epigastrium, crucial parts of the intubation process.2,3The patient's chest is not always a stable, flat surface, thus items may fall off of the towel and onto the floor. Using a Mayo stand or similar mobile table would accomplish the authors' goal, with minimal interference in patient care. Such a practice could also be standardized, allowing for situations in which placing items on the patient's chest is not practical (e.g. , pediatrics).
