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Author(s): DianaBarragan-Bradford, Jamie L.Sparling

  1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States, there are approximately 687,000 nosocomial infections per year, which cause or contribute to 72,000 deaths per year. In addition to the morbidity and mortality, these complications cost billions of dollars annually.
  2. Infection control responsibilities of anesthetists
    1. Participate in infection control to prevent transmission of infectious agents between patients and between patients and operating room (OR) personnel.
    2. Prevent or avoid infectious complications associated with anesthetic procedures such as central venous catheter (CVC) insertion and epidural placement.
    3. Participate in prevention of surgical wound infections and antibiotic stewardship with timely and appropriate perioperative antibiotic selection.