Disinfection requirements for glidescope using disposable baldes

[Ruth Barratt]

Hi all,

I would appreciate input for this query from my cross-Tasman colleagues.

I am currently working in an acute care tertiary hospital and the
emergency department has recently purchased a new videolaryngoscope –
The Glidescope. It has a digital camera incorporated in the blade which
displays a view of the vocal cords on a monitor. This instrument has
been on the market for a number of years originating from Canada. I am
told that some Australian facilities uses it too.

The model we have purchased uses a single use blade that fits snugly
(clicks into place) and is totally enclosed. – that is there is no
opening in the plastic blade at the end.

My question is for any one that is familiar with this piece of
equipment. Are you satisfied that the single use blades negate the need
to high-level disinfect the video baton that inserts into these blades.
The product rep suggests that routine high-level disinfection of the
baton is not required between cases and that the baton need only be
wiped down with detergent and a 70% alcohol wipe if necessary. The baton
is capable of being high-level disinfected if it is visibly contaminated
but this is not usually undertaken routinely.

Apparently it is routine practice worldwide to accept the single use
blades as an adequate precaution to prevent cross infection between
patients.

Any opinions or advice would be appreciated.

Regards

Ruth

Ruth Barratt

Clinical Nurse Specialist – Infection Prevention and Control

Christchurch Hospital

New Zealand

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[Wishart, Michael]

Hi Ruth

We looked at some similar devices here, and I was concerned that these devices use a ‘sheath’, which means the device part covered by the sheath (that enters mucous membrane area) would need high level disinfection between uses. Never really resolved this, as manufacturer stated it was not a sheath, so we were all set to do some clinical testing of contamination of the device under the hard plastic cover in use, when the doctors decided to buy a difference scope that was fully sterilisable, so we dropped the whole thing.

I had mixed opinions from colleagues about this when I posted to this list in March last year, so will be interested in further comments here. You can see that thread if you search ‘sheath’ in the website archives.

Cheers
Michael

Michael Wishart | GPH – Infection Control Coordinator

GPH – Quality & Safety Unit (Infection Control) | Greenslopes Private Hospital
Newdegate Street, Greenslopes QLD 4120
t: 07 3394 7919 | f: 07 3394 7985
e: WishartM@ramsayhealth.com.au | w: http://www.ramsayhealth.com.au

Ramsay Health Care is an environmentally responsible corporation, please consider the environment before printing this email.
________________________________________

Hi all,
I would appreciate input for this query from my cross-Tasman colleagues.

I am currently working in an acute care tertiary hospital and the emergency department has recently purchased a new videolaryngoscope – The Glidescope. It has a digital camera incorporated in the blade which displays a view of the vocal cords on a monitor. This instrument has been on the market for a number of years originating from Canada. I am told that some Australian facilities uses it too.

The model we have purchased uses a single use blade that fits snugly (clicks into place) and is totally enclosed. – that is there is no opening in the plastic blade at the end.

My question is for any one that is familiar with this piece of equipment. Are you satisfied that the single use blades negate the need to high-level disinfect the video baton that inserts into these blades. The product rep suggests that routine high-level disinfection of the baton is not required between cases and that the baton need only be wiped down with detergent and a 70% alcohol wipe if necessary. The baton is capable of being high-level disinfected if it is visibly contaminated but this is not usually undertaken routinely.

Apparently it is routine practice worldwide to accept the single use blades as an adequate precaution to prevent cross infection between patients.

Any opinions or advice would be appreciated.

Regards

Ruth

Ruth Barratt
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Infection Prevention and Control
Christchurch Hospital
New Zealand

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