THE DISINFECTION OF ANAESTHETIC APPARATUS

Abstract

Endotracheal tubes can be sterilized by soaking in chlorhexidine followed by boiling for 2 minutes. Numerous pathogenic organisms were cultured from corrugated tubing and reservoir bags prior to the institution of regular soaking in 0.1 per cent chlorhexidine for 20 minutes. A culture of Pseudomonas pyocyanea was obtained from a circle soda-lime absorber. Organisms found on blood pressure cuffs can be considerably reduced by spraying with a pressure pack containing 1 per cent chlorhexidine in alcohol, as can also the outer surface of anaesthetic machines.