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. 2003 Dec;50(10):989-97.
doi: 10.1007/BF03018361.

Infection control and anesthesia: lessons learned from the Toronto SARS outbreak

Philip W H Peng  1 , David T Wong, David Bevan, Michael Gardam
Affiliations

Infection control and anesthesia: lessons learned from the Toronto SARS outbreak

Philip W H Peng et al. Can J Anaesth. 2003 Dec.

Abstract
in English, French

Purpose: To describe the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Toronto, its impact on anesthesia practice and the infection control guidelines adopted to manage patients in the operating room (OR) and to provide emergency intubation outside the OR.

Clinical features: The SARS outbreak in Toronto was the result of a single index patient. The causative virus, SARS-CoV, is moderately contagious, and is spread by droplets and contact. The virus gains access to host through the mucosa of the respiratory tract and the eyes. It can affect both healthy and compromised patients. The use of several precautionary measures such as goggles, gloves, gowns and facemasks and the application of various infection control strategies designed to minimize the spread of the virus are discussed.

Conclusion: In containing the spread of SARS, vigilance and strict infection control are important. This results in the rediscovery of standards of infection control measures in daily anesthesia practice.

Objectif: Décrire l’éclosion du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère (SRAS) à Toronto, son impact sur l’exercice de l’anesthésie et l’adoption de directives pour la prévention des infections pendant la prise en charge des patients en salle d’opération (SO) et l’intubation d’urgence à l’extérieur de la SO.

Éléments cliniques: L’éclosion du SRAS à Toronto a été le résultat d’un seul cas indicateur. Le virus en cause, CoV-SRAS, est modérément contagieux et se propage par contact et gouttelettes de salive. Il accède à son hôte par la muqueuse du tractus respiratoire et par les yeux. Il peut affecter autant les gens sains que les patients malades. Nous discutons de certaines mesures préventives comme le port de lunettes, de gants, de blouses et de masques et de l’application de diverses stratégies de lutte anti-infectieuse mises au point pour réduire la propagation du virus.

Conclusion: La vigilance et te contrôle strict de l’infection sont importants pour la prévention de la propagation du SRAS. La situation nous a fait redécouvrir les normes de lutte anti-infectieuse adaptées à l’exercice quotidien de l’anesthésie.

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