Journal of Anesthesiology and Pain

Background: Colonization of bacteria on the equipments in touch with airway and respiratory mucosa may cause respiratory infections. According to available protocols, endotracheal tube connectors should be disposable, but because of financial issues many hospitals use it more than once. In the present study, the colonization rate of endotracheal tube connectors after 24, 48 and 72 hours of administration in multiple patients on mechanical ventilation in the operating room was assessed.
Methods: In this study, 150 endotracheal tube connectors after repeated use in different patients have been sampled and cultured using standard microbiological methods. Samples were categorized in three groups based on the duration of administration (24, 48 or 72 hours). Colony counts were identified and compared among the three groups. 
Results: Colonization rate after 24, 48 and 72 hours of usage was 2%, 18% and 30%, respectively (p<0.05). Separated bacteria usually were in kinds of Streptococci, Bacillus SP, Coagulate negative staphylococci, Klebsiella SP and Mold.
Conclusion:    Using endotracheal tube connector for more than 24 hours significantly increases the colonization rate. In hospitals with limited financial resources, repeated use of endotracheal tube connector up to twenty four hours maybe acceptable.