ABSTRACT
Background : The Center for Disease Control Infection of Sringarind Hospital recommended using sterile reusable gloves during tracheal suction to reduce the incidence of infection; however, this method is expensive and requires several steps to make the gloves reusable.Objective : To assess the incidence of positive culture from a catheter tip after endotracheal tube suctioning using disposable gloves (aseptic by not touching the end 6 inches of the catheter tip) vs. sterile reusable gloves.Study design : Prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.Method : We included 1}502 patients undergoing general anesthesia with an endotracheal tube. The patients wetre computer-randomized to two groups : Group 1 was the control performed with sterile gloves; whereas Group 2 was performed with disposable gloves and an aseptic technique. Tracheal suctioning was performed before extubation. The catheter tip was removed (using an aseptic technique) and sent for culturing.Results : There was a significantly (P