MICROBIAL ADHERENCE TO AND DISINFECTION OF LARYNGOSCOPES USED IN OFFICE PRACTICE

This study reports the appropriate disinfection methods for flexible a nd rigid laryngoscopes when used in an outpatient setting. This invest igation presents evidence that an appreciable number of laryngoscopes are contaminated during use. A brief tap water rinse serves to elimina te gross soil of host origin known to interfere with disinfectant effi cacy. Disinfection with 3.2% glutaraldehyde (Cidexplus) for 10 minutes effectively eliminated microbial contaminants. Since potentially harm ful microorganisms were included among the more than 100 isolates duri ng our baseline experiments, the need to eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa from laryngoscopes is obvious and can be attained readily.