5 research outputs found
Organic Photovoltaic Cells: From Performance Improvement to Manufacturing Processes
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111806/1/smll201402883.pd
Decontamination of laryngoscope blades: Is our practice adequate?
Background : The laryngoscope has been identified as a potential source
of cross-infection, because of blood and bacterial contamination. In
India, there are no guidelines for cleaning and disinfection of
anesthesia-related equipment. Practices for decontamination of
laryngoscopes vary widely and in most healthcare institutes,
laryngoscope blades are re-used after cleaning with tap-water.
Materials and Methods: We prospectively compared two techniques for
decontamination of laryngoscope blades - a) washing with tap-water and
b) washing with tap-water followed by disinfection by immersing in 5%
v/v (volume/volume, 1:20 dilution) aldehyde-free biguanide agent for 10
min. We calculated the cost-effectiveness of using 5% v/v aldehyde-free
biguanide agent for disinfection of laryngoscopes. We also conducted a
survey to assess the decontamination practices in other Indian
hospitals. Results : Overall bacterial growth was 58% (29 out of 50
blades) after tap-water cleaning (of which 60% were pathogenic
organisms) versus 3.4% (one out of 29 blades) after tap-water cleaning
followed by immersion in disinfectant (all of which were commensals).
The cost of disinfection with biguanide was Indian Rupees 1.13 (20 US
cents) per laryngoscope. Most hospitals in India do not have guidelines
regarding laryngoscope decontamination between uses, and cleaning with
tap water is a commonly used method. Conclusion : Cleaning of
laryngoscope blades with tap-water is a commonly used but inadequate
method for decontamination. Washing with tap-water followed by
disinfection with 5% v/v aldehyde-free biguanide for at least 10 min is
an effective and inexpensive alternative. National guidelines for the
decontamination of anesthesia equipment are necessary