Re-use of equipment between patients receiving total intravenous anaesthesia: a postal survey of current practice.

In order to establish current practice with regard to the reuse of infusion equipment between patients receiving total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), a postal survey of 393 consultants was carried out. Additionally, consultants' awareness of relevant guidelines was assessed. Overall, 46% of consultants change all equipment between cases, 37% change one-way valves and 17% change distal lengths of the infusion tubing. Only 13% of consultants reported knowledge of any guidelines. In the absence of any data relevant to the current techniques of administering TIVA, the level of risk associated with the reuse of infusion components is impossible to quantify. Disposal of all equipment between cases incurs a 26% greater cost when compared to changing one-way valves alone. Variation in practice between consultants creates the potential for system errors. Practice should be standardised and, to comply with the published guidelines, should involve disposal of all equipment between cases.