DTIC AD1011534: Incidence of Visible and Occult Blood on Laryngoscope Blades and Handles

📝 Description

Anesthesia providers must take appropriate precautions to reduce the potential for transmission of infectious agents to the patients under their care. The devastating spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) over the past decade has resulted in the development of specific guidelinesfor the cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and handling of medical equipment and instruments. Contamination of laryngoscope blades and handles with visible andoccult blood frequently occurs during routine ainway management. Several studies suggest either procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and handling of laryngoscope blades and handles are ineffective, or there may be poor compliance with the established protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of visible and occult blood on laryngoscope blades and handles that were identified as ready for patient use.