Recomendaciones para el control de la infección en la práctica de la anestesia

Healthcare-related infections are a health problem both for patients and healthcare workers. The present article summarizes the recommendations for the control of these infections. Special emphasis is placed on hand-washing, since contact is the main contributing factor. Likewise, the indications for the use of gloves, masks, caps, and surgical gowns and shoes, movements in the surgical area and appropriate patient order are discussed. To prevent nosocomial infection, the degree of disinfection required by each anesthetic material is schematized according to its final use. The handling of medication and use of syringes, multidose vials and infusers and their beyond-use dates are revised. The insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters and other invasive procedures, as well as the prevention of transmission of infections to health workers are also discussed.