EVALUATION OF LARYNGOSCOPES DECONTAMINATION PRACTICES IN DIFFERENT HOSPITALS

Laryngoscopes Decontamination Practices

Abstract

Objective: To find disinfection and sterilization practices of laryngoscope in different hospitals.
Study Design: Descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Gujranwala, from Jan 2010 to Jan 2011.
Material and Methods: Laryngoscope decontamination practices in different hospitals were evaluated in this study which was based on a telephonic structured questionnaire. Preset questions were asked on phone from operation room technicians of 50 different hospitals. For clarification and confirmation of procedure anesthesiologist of the hospital was contacted. Laryngoscope decontamination practices were asked as per questionnaire and data collected was recorded and analyzed. Results were documented and compared with studies regarding laryngoscope decontamination practices of different countries.
Results: Most exercised methods were manual decontamination with simple gauze (50%), alcohol gauze (11%) or tap water (27%). The use of disposable blades and sheathing of blades was not practiced by any of the hospitals. Similarly chemical disinfectants were used rarely (2%). Rinsing laryngoscopes with water (always 27%, sometime 23%) was very common while, autoclaving or sheathing of blades was not done in any of the hospital.
Conclusion: The rate of different postoperative infections is on the increase in our hospitals and one likely contributing source is contaminated laryngoscopes. Lack of awareness and poor practices among health care professionals, over work and economic constraints are the major contributing factors which need to be controlled by adhering to international standards.