Effectiveness of processing laryngoscopes used in surgical patients undergoing orotracheal intubation

TL;DR

This study found that disinfection of laryngoscopes used in surgical intubation is ineffective, as protein levels remained above acceptable limits.

Contribution

The study introduces a quantitative assessment of laryngoscope disinfection effectiveness in a clinical setting.

Findings

Protein levels decreased significantly after processing but remained above acceptable limits.

All samples failed qualitative assessments of disinfection effectiveness.

Simulated microorganisms were reduced, but disinfection was still deemed ineffective.

Abstract

to evaluate the effectiveness of processing laryngoscopes used in surgical patients undergoing orotracheal intubation.

this was a descriptive, analytical, quantitative study conducted in a public hospital in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in two phases: assessment of the protein test and the persistence of simulated microorganisms on laryngoscopes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test.

a total of 48 samples were analyzed, distributed across 24 protein tests, 12 fluorescence analyses, and 12 visual inspections of the laryngoscope conditions. There was a significant reduction in protein levels after processing (z = -2.58, p < 0.010), with a moderate effect size (r = 0.74). However, all samples failed the qualitative assessment, as protein levels exceeded the acceptable limit of 1 µg/cm2.

there was a reduction in simulated microorganisms. However, all protein tests failed, indicating the ineffectiveness of laryngoscope disinfection.

avaliar a efetividade do processamento de laringoscópios utilizados em pacientes cirúrgicos submetidos a intubação orotraqueal.

trata-se de um estudo descritivo, analítico, de natureza quantitativa, realizado em um hospital público de Minas Gerais, em duas fases: avaliação do teste de proteína e da permanência de microrganismos simulados em laringoscópios. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e pelo teste de Wilcoxon Signed Rank.

foram 48 amostras, distribuídas em 24 testes de proteína, 12 análises por fluorescência e 12 inspeções visuais das condições dos laringoscópios. Houve redução significativa nos níveis de proteína após o processamento (z = -2,58, p < 0,010), com tamanho de efeito moderado (r = 0,74). Contudo, todas as amostras foram reprovadas qualitativamente, pois os níveis de proteína foram superiores ao limite aceitável de 1 µg/cm2.

houve redução dos microrganismos simulados. Contudo, todos os testes de proteína foram reprovados, indicando ineficácia da desinfecção dos laringoscópios.

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