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Question:

estradam
estradam
Student
Graduate School

Does the ETT need to be sterile when intubating a patient in the OR?

I am a Anesthesia student. One of the MDA said that the ETT is sterile when intubating my patient.

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Posted by estradam on Tuesday February 10, 2009 at 3:47 PM and tagged with anesthesia question, science.

Answers:

  1. cambtone
    cambtone Teacher
    College - Senior

    eNotes Editor

    In the OR the ETT will be sterile, as will all the other instruments used.  Otherwise, in a febrile or immunocomprised patient (which many in OR might be) the risk of introducing a secondary infection is increased.  It would be considered very poor practice in an OR environment not to have all instruments sterile and work as aseptically as possible eg. face masks, sterile gloves.  In an emergency situation, away from ER, although a sterile ETT may be used, the conditions are not aseptic.  The principle is to use sterile instruments where possible.

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    Posted by cambtone on Saturday June 6, 2009 at 5:43 AM