Contamination of hypodermic needles in anaesthetic practice.

The study was undertaken to define and compare the incidence of bacterial contamination on opening three different types of hypodermic needle package. Four user groups were studied (anaesthetists, intensive care nurses, operating department assistants and medical laboratory scientific officers). Bacterial contamination was shown to occur and to be related to the type of needle packaging, the ratio of contamination incidence being similar in all four user groups. The results emphasize the importance of a careful opening technique when using sterile packaged hypodermic needles.