In United States health care settings, infection control breeches by staff, including anesthesia personnel, have resulted in numerous outbreaks of bacterial infections, primarily invasive bloodstream infections and patient-to-patient transmission of hepatitis B or C virus.1 Unsafe injection practices identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include re-using a needle, cannula or syringe for more than one patient or to access a medication or fluid container; using single-use containers for multiple patients; and medication preparation in the same workspace where used needles and syringes are dismantled. These outbreaks could have been prevented by using aseptic techniques for preparation and administration of parenteral medications and preventing contamination of injection equipment and medications.1-15
In 2007, Safe Injection Practices were added to the CDC’s Standard Precautions.1,4 Medication preparation begins with hand hygiene and a clean work area. Use aseptic technique to avoid contamination of...
