[Factors associated with the quality of sterilization of surgical drapes at the National Hospital University Hubert Koutoukou Maga of Cotonou]. / Facteurs associés à la qualité de la stérilisation du linge opératoire au Centre National Hospitalier Universitaire Hubert Koutoukou MAGA de Cotonou.

INTRODUCTION: The sterilization of surgical drapes plays an important role in preventing infections associated with treatments. At the CNHU-HKM, sterilization procedure for drapes encounters problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with the quality of sterilization of surgical drapes at the CNHU-HKM. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study focusing on 20 sterile surgical drapes, 41 agents were involved in the management of drapes and 55 members of the surgical team. The probabilistic method was used for sterile surgical drapes, the non-probabilistic method for the others. Pearson's Chi-square Test and logistic regression were used to find the association, with a significant threshold and a p<0.05. RESULTS: Eighty six point forty six percent of subjects were males with an average age of 42 years. The quality of the process of sterilization of the operative drapes was not good in the two departments responsible for processing the drapes. Bacteriological analysis showed that, out of 20 sterile surgical drapes, 9 had Acinetobacter spp. a multidrug-resistant germ causing nosocomial infections. Multivariate analysis showed that professional experience (p=0.015) and quality control of the procedure (p=0.034) were statistically associated with the quality of sterilization. CONCLUSION: The presence of Acinetobacter spp. on the sterilized drapes demonstrates that sterilization of drapes at the CNHU-HKM is of poor quality. Measures strengthening the skills of providers are necessary to improve the quality of sterilization procedures.

Back to Basics: Sterile Technique.

Sterile technique is an essential patient safety principle that reduces the risk of microbial transmission to patients during surgery. The ability to establish and maintain a sterile environment is an important skill for all perioperative team members. Understanding the principles of sterile technique is crucial for anyone entering the perioperative environment. This Back to Basics article reviews sterile technique and the importance of all perioperative team members adhering to aseptic principles.

[Introduction to method for determination of bio-burden on surgical drapes, gowns and clean air suits].

Firstly, the essay introduces the definition of bio-burden, the significance of determination of bio-burden and the specific performance requirements. Then, the essay introduces the method selection and validation on the bio-burden determination of surgical drapes, gowns and clean air suits.

Magnetic interference of cardiac pacemakers from a surgical magnetic drape.

Sterile magnetic drapes are frequently used during surgery to hold metal instruments on the sterile field. Magnetic fields may potentially interfere with the function of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. In this study, we evaluated the potential magnetic interference of magnetic drapes on pacemaker function. A magnetic drape with 70 magnets was placed with its approximate center over the pacemaker of 50 patients during their visit to the cardiology clinic. In those pacemakers that demonstrated magnetic interference, the drape was pulled caudally in 3-cm increments until the interference ceased. If there was no interference, the drape was folded in 2 over the pacemaker. The number of magnets necessary to maintain magnetic interference with the pacemaker was also tested. Magnetic interference was observed in the pacemakers of 47 (94%) patients: 35 with the unfolded drape and another 12 with the folded drape. Patients whose pacemakers had interference with the unfolded drape weighed less (68 ± 15 kg vs 81 ± 19 kg; P = 0.016) than those who had no interference. In 54% of patients, magnetic interference ceased when the drape was pulled 3 cm caudally and at 15 cm, no pacemaker had magnetic interference. Magnetic drapes may cause magnetic interference with cardiac pacemakers, and this interference ceases at a caudal distance of 15 cm. Magnetic interference seems more likely in patients with lower body weight. Careful monitoring of the pulse and electrocardiogram for asynchronous pacing activity should be considered when magnetic drapes are used in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

[The evaluation of bacteria penetration by medical textiles for multiple use and disposable multilayer surgical drapes, according to the PN-EN ISO 22610 standard]. / Badanie przenikania bakterii przez tkaniny medyczne przeznaczone do wielokrotnego uzycia oraz wielowarstwowe oblozenia chirurgiczne jednorazowego uzytku, wedlug normy PN-EN ISO 22610.

INTRODUCTION: Cotton as well as synthetic textile medical products are widely used as barrier materials and individual protection against displacement of biological infectious factors. The required level of protection of these products for multiple use and disposable multilayer laminates against the penetration of microbes depends on the risk connected with type of surgical procedure defined in normative documents. METHODS. Cotton and syntetic medical textiles for multiple use, 30-times subjected to processes simulating conditions of the use as well as disposable multilayer surgical drapes were tested. Resistance to microbial wet penetration was conducted according to the PN-EN ISO 22610: 2007 standard. RESULTS: The barrier of cotton fabrics was reduced after first washing and then systematically grew after each often cycles to the value close to the value at the beginning. From the twentieth cycle of simulated conditions of the use, barrier index was reduced. The barrier of the synthetic textile stayed on the average level, while multilayer disposable products ensured the full impermeability for the bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Natural cotton textiles for multiple use could be apply on operative blocks in limited range because of the changes of the cotton structure caused by repeated laundering process and sterilization. Synthetic materials also have limited application, although are more resistant to cleaning and sterilization processes. Disposable synthetic laminates with many layers use guarantee impermeability for bacteria and may be applied in operative blocks without restrictions.