An Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Ventilator Humidifying Systems

¹ Director, Respiratory Care Department, Albany Medical Center Hospital
² Division of Pulmonary Disease, Department of Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
³ Professor, Division of Microbiology
⁴ Supervisor, Respiratory Care Department, Albany Medical Center Hospital

Two hundred and eighty seven matched cultures of ventilator humidifying systems and the patient interface tubing taken at random over a three year period were evaluated. Bacteriologic contamination of tubing and humidifying svstems occurred as independent and separate events, although the incidence of contamination of tubing was significantly higher. Copper mesh air filtering placed in the humidification assembly had the lowest rate of contamination while ultrasonic humidifiers had the highest. The distribution of the bacteriologic population was unusual. Further improvement of "accepted techniques" to monitor and avoid bacteriologic equipment contamination are necessary.