Our unit has several patients who have catheters, and I see them being hooked up while they are sitting directly under air-conditioning vents. Is it possible to maintain a sterile field when the patient is under one of these vents? How much greater is the risk of infection?

Dan,

I recently started peritineal dialysis, at home. It was stressed during the training for this that we make sure the air condidioner and ceiling fans are turned off BEFORE we start anything with the catheter. This is due to the germs and contamination that can be blown out of the vents.

I'm referring to a hemo unit, with patients who have IJs.

Hospitals have a/c vents everywhere, including the surgical units!

Hi All:

Hospitals ventialtion is also different for specific areas. And only extremely thorough filters are used in operating and patient areas.

Personally, infection from the hospital air-conditioning system would be low on my list of concerns.

Remember Legionnaires Disease? Passed on to people through air conditioning. Not something hospitals would want to risk.

That�s only my opinion, for what it�s worth.

Best,
Mike

Yes Mike, Maybe I wasn't clear! I would trust the a/c vents in a hospital setting. I worked in home care for years and a/c units in people's homes are often ignored, quite yucky! I used to clean the filters or replace them. Nebulizers were another problem. I would not have wanted to culture the filters from either!
Filters only filter and don't spread organisms around if they are cleaned and maintained on a routine basis.

I see what you mean, Linn.

Hadn�t though of non-hospital settings. I did home hemo for a couple of years, though, with a chest catheter and never had a problem with infection from airborne germs from air conditioner. Nevertheless, I had a few minor bouts with infections.

Thanks for the additional info. Wish you the best.

Cheers,
Mike

[This message has been edited by Michael Williams (edited 08-21-2001).]