[b eyes]

Originally Posted by MLOS

In the 3 different ERs where I have either worked or had clinical experience as a student, the blades & handles were stored in the "Airway Bag" or the "Airway Cart" -- they are NOT sterile-packed. Infection control nurses help me out -- is there any point to sterilizing something which will remain open to air, which is not sterile?

Having said that, ours are cleaned in a solution which definitely has better anti-microbial properties than soap & water.

What is the solution that you use to clean your supplies? I know they are not packaged sterile, however, I think that they need to be cleaned much better that soap and water. Something else to kill the germs that the scrubbing doesn't do and in our facility things that need that go to central sterile. Just think about the concept. some intense heat would be a good idea, and whatever else they do. I am not sure of. I know if it was my loved one who survived an intubation, I would not want them to have to deal with any other blood borne pathogen that is out there.

[Altra]

I'll find out what the solution is and let you know.

I do know that the fiber optics in the blades present an issue, i.e., we don't drop them into the same "green stuff" that other used instruments go into.

[b eyes]

Originally Posted by MLOS

I'll find out what the solution is and let you know.

I do know that the fiber optics in the blades present an issue, i.e., we don't drop them into the same "green stuff" that other used instruments go into.

Oh see, that's interesting, because central sterile told me yesterday that if I did not like the idea of just using soap and water, I COULD drop them into the "green stuff" HMMMM...

Thank you, by the way I will be looking for the solution from you.

[b eyes]

Originally Posted by Lurksalot

Interesting discussion--in our RSI bags and crash carts we have blades lying in the drawers open to air and also other blades in sealed sterile plastic. How's that for a conundrum??!!

Had to edit to say it brings up some good points...I was wondering the other day along these same issues about using alcohol preps to cleanse ports before accessing IVs, and the new nurse in me wants to stick to always wiping ports because it is the right thing to do for the patient....however, I see in codes it does not always happen, yet I can't say it really matters during that sort of situation---I mean, if someone is getting intubated because they are dying then not wiping a port is the least of their problem.
Do I always wipe ports? Yes, that is how I practice, and I always have wipes in my pocket. Do I think the blades should be sterile? No, I do not think they need to be sterile, but they should be clean---more than soap and water clean.
Good discussion, I am looking forward to all the replies. Sometimes it is tough to reconcile reality with practice.

Our peds crash cart has sterile disposable blades. And I agree with you about if someone is dying, and wiping a port, but just think if they survive, It's just going to make their recovery that much more dificult. we don't think about that at the time though. We just think, oh please dear god, let my shaky hands guide this needle where it needs to go!! But I have seen it done that way as well and getting the heart going is always what is on our minds!!

[prmenrs]

The green stuff is probably Cidex. If you use Cidex, you need to really scrub the instrument well before you put it in the solution. It should not have saliva or blood on it.

Call your Infection Control person. I'd be willing to bet real $$ that's not the way s/he wants it done.

[b eyes]

Originally Posted by prmenrs

The green stuff is probably Cidex. If you use Cidex, you need to really scrub the instrument well before you put it in the solution. It should not have saliva or blood on it.

Call your Infection Control person. I'd be willing to bet real $$ that's not the way s/he wants it done.

Sorry if this is a dumb question but, can you explain why saliva or blood should not be on the instrument before going in the Cidex?

[prmenrs]

Because the 'organic debris' can get in the way of the Cidex from killing all the germs. Cidex is a glutaraldahyde cold sterilizing solution. Before you do any sterilizing, you have to clean the item.

This is from the APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control) website: http://www.apic.org/AM/Template.cfm?...entFileID=2558

It's an Adobe document and I can't seem to copy and paste the pertinent part. You will have to make it bigger--125% works well.

The part that pertains to laryngoscopes is the 2nd section, semi-critical.

[b eyes]

Originally Posted by prmenrs

Because the 'organic debris' can get in the way of the Cidex from killing all the germs. Cidex is a glutaraldahyde cold sterilizing solution. Before you do any sterilizing, you have to clean the item.

This is from the APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control) website: http://www.apic.org/AM/Template.cfm?...entFileID=2558

It's an Adobe document and I can't seem to copy and paste the pertinent part. You will have to make it bigger--125% works well.

The part that pertains to laryngoscopes is the 2nd section, semi-critical.

Thank you. And that was a great site. Answered my question.

[Gromit]

When I was a paramedic, we had our own blades -we washed them in a soap/enzyme solution to sterilize them. This was in the '90s. But I THINK (really not sure) our facility starilzes these implements.

[bill4745]

All of our blades are sterilized and packaged until used.