Abstract
Seven portable lung ventilators were investigated to assess the risk of bacterial colonization of the ventilator valve. One valve was deliberately contaminated with Serratia marcescens and the survival of organisms within the valve studied. Periods of colonization by Acinetobacter were found in all the hospital ventilators studied but none of those from the ambulance service. The potential risk to the patient from this organism is discussed and the importance of adequate storage and regular cleaning of the ventilator valve emphasised. Since humidification of the patients inspired gas during transfer is desirable, the use of a combined heat and moisture exchanger and microbiological filter would appear advisable.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Adams AP, Henville JD (1977) A new generation of anaesthetic ventilators. Anaesthesia 32:34
Bygdeman S, von Euler C, Nystrom B (1984) Moisture exchangers do not prevent patient contamination of ventilators. A microbiological study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 28:591
Chanlon J, Loew DAY, Malebranche J (1972) Effects of dry anaesthetic gases on tracheobronchial ciliated epithelium. Anesthesiology 37:338
Chanlon J, Markham JP, Ali MM, Ramanathan S, Turndorf H (1984) The Pall Ultipor Breathing Circuit Filter — An efficient heat and moisture exchanger. Anesth Analg 63:566
Cunha BA, Gracewski J, Klimek JJ, McLaughlin JC, Quintiliani R (1980) A common source outbreak of Acinetobacter pulmonary infections traced to Wright respirometers. Postgrad Med J 56:169
Gerner-Smidt P, Hansen L, Kundsen A, Siboni K, Sogaard I (1985) Epidemic spread of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus in a neurological department analyzed by electronic data processing. J Hosp Infect 6:166
Glew RH, Moellering RC, Kunz LJ (1977) Infections with Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (Herellea vaginicola): clinical and laboratory studies. Medicine 56, 2:79
Im SWK, Fung JPH, Yu DYC (1982) Unusual dissemination of pseudomonads by ventilators. Anesthesiology 37:1074
Leigh JM, White MG (1984) A new condenser humidifier. Anaesthesia 39:497
Linko K, Honkavaara P, Nieminen M-T (1984) Heated humidification in major abdominal surgery. Eur J Anaesthesiol 1:285
Miles AA, Misra SS (1938) The estimation of the bacteriocidal power of the blood. J Hyg Camb 38:732
Park GR, Johnson S (1982) A ventilator for use during mobile intensive care and total intravenous anaesthesia. The Drager Oxylog. Anaesthesia 37:1204
Ping FC, Oulton JL, Smith JA (1979) Bacterial filters — are they necessary on anaesthesia machines? Canad Anaesth Soc J 26:415
Ramphal R, Kluge RM (1979) Acinetobacter caloaceticus variety anitratus: an increasing nosocomial problem. Am J Med Sci 277, 1:57
Vivian A, Hinchliffe E, Fewson CA (1981) Acinetobacter calcoaceticus: some approaches to a problem. J Hosp Infect 2:199
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Research Registrar in receipt of a grant from Napp Laboratories Ltd.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shelly, M.P., Park, G.R., Warren, R.E. et al. Portable lung ventilators: the potential risk from bacterial colonisation. Intensive Care Med 12, 328–331 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00261747
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00261747