Effectiveness of processing laryngoscopes used in surgical patients undergoing orotracheal intubation

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of processing laryngoscopes used in surgical patients undergoing orotracheal intubation. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: there was a reduction in simulated microorganisms. However, all protein tests failed, indicating the ineffectiveness of laryngoscope disinfection.