Adequacy of Direct Laryngoscope Brightness in 26 Emergency Rooms

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine adequacy of brightness and proper brightness of the direct laryngoscope in emergency departments. METHODS: We investigated blade and handle in 26 hospitals in Seoul and made 110 combination. We excluded malfunction and non-fixed combination, and measured the lux of each combination. We divided results into two groups (bulb type and fiber type) in two ways (adult type and pediatric type). RESULTS: In the 110 combinations, the median lux value was 836.25. The number of laryngoscopes in which brightness exceeded International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recommended value of the 700 was 67. There was no statistically significant difference in median lux between fiber type and bulb type (847.5 vs 802.0; p=0.870), while the brightness of the pediatric type was brighter than the adult type. A questionnaire of laryngoscope management revealed no regular basis of use, and complete absence of awareness of brightness criteria. CONCLUSION: An improved laryngoscope managing system is essential including regular criteria for laryngoscope management.