A survey of infection control practices of consultant anaesthesiologists in teaching hospitals of pakistan.

Objective: To determine the infection control practices of Anaesthesiologist in the teaching hospitals of Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Place And Duration Of Study: The survey was conducted from January 2002 to December 2002 in Combined Military Hospital Quetta. The survey was closed after allowing 6 months for return of the replies.

Subjects And Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 170 consultant anaesthesiologist randomly selected from all over Pakistan. Out of these, 90 (53%) were returned and analyzed. To reduce self-report bias, the forms were filled anonymously.

Results: Thirty four percent of the respondents always used masks, and only 9% used gloves in their every day practice. Only 18% of respondents stated that they always washed their hands after every patient contact and 54% reported that they always used aseptic technique for placing an indwelling cannula. Most respondents had a good knowledge of universal precautions for prevention of occupational transmission of infection. Five percent of the anaesthetists reported frequently or always reusing syringes for more than one patient. The practice of reusing syringes was significantly greater when the same consultants were anaesthetizing patients in private clinics rather than in their primary institutions (p < 0.01). On a scale of 0 - 10 (10 = high), anaesthesiologist rated their potential for contributing to transmission of infection as>5, in 58% of cases.

Conclusion: Whereas most responding anaesthesiologist exhibit appropriate infection control behaviour, there are several potentially hazardous practices that continue unabated.