Abstract
Objectives:
Analyze whether standard decontamination protocols were effective in cleaning integral components of common otolaryngological office equipment, including flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopes, detachable light cables, and otoscope handles.
Methods:
A random microbiological sampling of 6 flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopes including the eye piece and the driver handle, 3 light cables, and 5 otoscope handles was performed. All equipment was sampled in the middle of a busy office session. Samples were then subjected to standard aerobic growth culture analysis.
Results:
From a total of 20 samples collected, 7 (35%) demonstrated contamination with bacterial organisms. 4 of the 20 sample sites (20%) exhibited human contamination, 2 of which were from light cables, 1 from a laryngoscope eye piece, and 1 from an otoscope handle.
Conclusions:
This microbiological evaluation of common office instruments demonstrates that there are numerous potential contaminates which may be present in the office setting. These include flexible laryngoscope eyepieces, light cables, and otoscopes, which are commonly overlooked in the cleaning protocols of a standard otolaryngology clinic.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.