Anesthesiologists must always wear face masks when material is injected into the epidural or spinal space, regardless of location, according to a post in Anesthesiology by J. Lance Lichtor, MD, professor of anesthesiology at The University of Massachusetts Medical School.
In his post, Dr. Lichtor cites a clinical reminder published by the CDC that describes the risk of bacterial meningitis when spinal injection procedures are performed without a face mask. The report describes two occurrences of bacterial meningitis that occurred after intrapartum spinal anesthesia. In both cases, unmasked visitors were in the room during the performance of spinal anesthesia or the anesthesiologist did not wear a mask during anesthesia administration.
Dr. Lichtor emphasized that aseptic techniques must be used for spinal injection procedures and face masks should always be worn for spinal injection procedures, regardless of whether the procedure is performed in a hospital, imaging facility, ASC or pain management clinic.
Read the post in Anesthesiology about face mask use during spinal anesthesia.
Read more on anesthesia:
-Harvard Anesthesiologist: Teens May Make Anesthesiology Decisions at 14
-New Study Clarifies 'Obesity Paradox' for Surgery Patients
-Tennessee's River Park Hospital Implements Digital Anesthesia Technology
In his post, Dr. Lichtor cites a clinical reminder published by the CDC that describes the risk of bacterial meningitis when spinal injection procedures are performed without a face mask. The report describes two occurrences of bacterial meningitis that occurred after intrapartum spinal anesthesia. In both cases, unmasked visitors were in the room during the performance of spinal anesthesia or the anesthesiologist did not wear a mask during anesthesia administration.
Dr. Lichtor emphasized that aseptic techniques must be used for spinal injection procedures and face masks should always be worn for spinal injection procedures, regardless of whether the procedure is performed in a hospital, imaging facility, ASC or pain management clinic.
Read the post in Anesthesiology about face mask use during spinal anesthesia.
Read more on anesthesia:
-Harvard Anesthesiologist: Teens May Make Anesthesiology Decisions at 14
-New Study Clarifies 'Obesity Paradox' for Surgery Patients
-Tennessee's River Park Hospital Implements Digital Anesthesia Technology