Residual protein contamination of ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airways afer two washing protocols

Stone, T., Brimacombe, J., Keller, C., Kelly, D., and Clery, G, (2004) Residual protein contamination of ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airways afer two washing protocols. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 32 (3). pp. 390-393.

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Abstract

The risk of prion protein cross-infection has focussed attention on the potential hazards of protein contamination of re-usable medical devices. This study determined the frequency of protein contamination of ProSeal laryngeal mask airways (PLMA) after two cleaning procedures and tested the hypothesis that the combination of hand- and machine-washing removes protein contamination more effectively than hand-washing alone. After clinical use fifty-four PLMAs were randomly allocated to be washed by hand or by hand then machine. All PLMAs were then autoclaved at 134 degrees C for 4 minutes. After processing, each PLMA was immersed in a 1.2% solution of erythrosin B and examined for uptake of stain. The site (outer surface, bowl and edges of the cuff airway and drain tube, finger strap) and severity (nil/mild/moderate/severe) of staining was scored by a blinded observer. There were no differences in the site or severity of staining between the two cleaning procedures. Staining was detected on 89% of PLMAs that were hand-washed and 78% of PLMAs that were hand-, then machine-washed (P=0.27). When staining occurred, it was mild in 98%, moderate in 2% and was never severe. Staining was more frequent on the edge than at any other location (all comparisons: P < or = 0.01). The strap never had any staining. We conclude that residual contamination of PLMAs with protein deposits is common even when machine-washing is used to augment hand-washing before autoclaving. The infection risk associated with these deposits remains to be determined.

Item ID: 5731
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1448-0271
Keywords: laryngeal mask airway; protein contamination
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Reproduced with permission from Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.

Date Deposited: 11 Feb 2010 23:24
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences > 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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