Year

2011

Season

Fall

Paper Type

Doctoral Project

College

Brooks College of Health

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Dr. John McDonough

Second Advisor

Dr. Gerard Hogan

Third Advisor

Dr. W. Patrick Monaghan

Department Chair

Dr. Lillia M. Loriz

College Dean

Dr. Pamela S. Chally

Abstract

Current procedures for cleaning anesthesia airway equipment have been reported to be ineffective. The potential for cross-contamination from some airway equipment to a patient has been documented in several studies. In order to prevent potential infections, it should be ascertained as to why all anesthesia providers are not using disposable laryngoscope blades. The purpose of this evidence based project is to determine the perceptions of anesthesia providers regarding the use of disposable laryngoscope blades. Their frequency of use, their evaluation of ease of use, and any complications encountered when using the disposable blade before and after an in-service program designed to increase the use of disposable blades will be determined. Once Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and written consent were obtained, anesthesia providers were asked to complete an anonymous one page questionnaire on their knowledge and practice regarding disposable laryngoscope blades. Immediately following the completion of the questionnaire, participants were given an investigator developed article to read. Participants completed the same anonymous questionnaire 3 months following the pre-intervention questionnaire. Inventory of the disposable laryngoscope blades were collected at the start of the project, at one month, and then again at three months. A total of 12 anesthesia providers participated in the evidence based practice project. An increased number of providers stated that they felt disposable laryngoscope blades were easy to use at the completion of the project and there was an increased use of disposable laryngoscope blades. At post-intervention, anesthesia providers described performance (25%) as their reason for not using the disposable laryngoscope blade which was down from the start of the project (60%). A single proportion Z-Test showed that the 23% increase in use of disposable laryngoscope blades after the intervention was statistically significant (Z=2.046, p=0.041). This evidence based project has shown that despite initial apprehension, a change in practice was evident after dissemination of the best and most recent clinical evidence regarding laryngoscope blades which should translate to improved patient outcomes.

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