Published on: July 2026
EVALUATION OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF ANAESTHESIA MACHINES AND LARYNGOSCOPE BLADES BEFORE AND AFTER ROUTINE DISINFECTION: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Deepak Kumawat Ram Pachauri Himadri Sharma
Article Status
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Abstract
Anaesthesia machines and reusable airway devices are frequently touched during surgical procedures and may act as reservoirs for pathogenic microorganisms. Despite routine cleaning and disinfection protocols, contamination of these surfaces can persist, increasing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and cross-transmission between patients. Regular microbiological surveillance of anaesthesia equipment is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of infection control measures and ensure patient safety in the operation theatre.
Objective
To evaluate the microbial contamination of anaesthesia machines and laryngoscope blades before and after routine disinfection and to assess the effectiveness of standard disinfection practices in reducing microbial load.
Methods
A prospective observational study was conducted in the operation theatre of a tertiary care hospital over a period of six months. Sterile swab samples were collected from predefined sites on anaesthesia machines and laryngoscope blades before and after routine disinfection. Samples were cultured on Blood agar and MacConkey agar and incubated under standard laboratory conditions. Bacterial isolates were identified using conventional microbiological methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results
Microbial contamination was expected to be significantly higher before disinfection than after routine cleaning. Common isolates anticipated included coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Routine disinfection was expected to reduce contamination substantially; however, residual contamination on frequently handled surfaces might indicate gaps in existing infection control practices.
Conclusion
Routine disinfection significantly contributes to reducing microbial contamination of anaesthesia equipment, but complete elimination of microorganisms may not always be achieved. Continuous microbiological surveillance, adherence to evidence-based disinfection protocols, and regular training of operation theatre personnel are essential to minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections and improve patient safety.
Keywords
Anaesthesia machine; Laryngoscope; Microbial contamination; Operation theatre; Disinfection; Healthcare-associated infections; Infection control.
How to Cite this Paper
Kumawat, D., Pachauri, R. & Sharma, H. (2026). Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Anaesthesia Machines and Laryngoscope Blades Before and After Routine Disinfection: A Prospective Observational Study. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(7), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.193
Kumawat, Deepak, et al.. "Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Anaesthesia Machines and Laryngoscope Blades Before and After Routine Disinfection: A Prospective Observational Study." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 7, 2026, pp. 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.193.
Kumawat, Deepak,Ram Pachauri, and Himadri Sharma. "Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Anaesthesia Machines and Laryngoscope Blades Before and After Routine Disinfection: A Prospective Observational Study." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 7 (2026): 1-9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.193.
Search & Index
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- •Published on: Jul 22 2026
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