# 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.

## Key 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.