How to Choose the Right Video Laryngoscope for Your Hospital (Guide 2024)
Choosing the right video laryngoscope for your hospital is a major decision, hinged on very many limiting factors that include safety for the patient, ease of use, budget, and what exactly your medical staff needs. Herein is some guidance to enable you to make the best choice for your hospital.
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Coreray 4.5-in Touch Screen Disposable Video Laryngoscope
$1,509.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Coreray 3-inch Disposable Video Laryngoscope
$1,259.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Coreray 4.5-inch Touchable Screen Reusable Video Laryngoscope
$1,509.00 – $2,449.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Coreray 3-inch Reusable Video Laryngoscope
$1,259.00 – $2,199.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
1. Usage Needs Determination
Type of patients: Generally, consider the demographics in your patients currently being served by your hospital. Are they adult, child, or a mixture of both? Some video laryngoscopes have interchangeable blades for different sizes, and it may be very important for hospitals that treat a wide array of patients.
Emergency vs Routine Use: For hospitals catering to a large number of cases in emergency, the requirement would be for immediately ready-for-use laryngoscope models that provide high-resolution, real-time images during tricky intubations.
The CoreRay video laryngoscopes may be of great use in high-volume emergency cases within hospitals. Considering the fact that they are designed for rapid deployment, real-time high-resolution images are ensured. Besides, anti-fog camera and long-life battery features guarantee readiness during critical intubation due to the lightweight portable design. Moreover, with disposable and reusable blades, NFC connectivity, and a 4.5″ touchable screen, CoreRay can be also employed for routine procedures, offering advanced features and versatility to handle various needs a patient might have.
More specifically, McGRATH™ brags about its robust and long battery life, thus highly suitable for routine uses; GlideScope has better imaging and portability, fitting in emergency situations. ProVu is highly regarded by single-use safety features, ideal in infection control at emergencies and daily usage. During reading, my article about the 8 best video laryngoscopes and their price comparison will lead you through some features, pricing options, and for what kind of medical environment each brand is suited.
2. Reusable versus Disposable Blades
Reusable Blades: These are most often more economy-friendly in the longer term. If the sterilizing procedures used by your hospital are effective, the reusable video laryngoscope models, such as the CoreRay Reusable Video Laryngoscope, can represent much lower costs in continuing replacement blades.
Disposable Blades: These are preferred when infection control is extremely critical, as would be the case with highly prone scenarios such as the intensive care unit and during pandemics. This does increase the per-use cost, though. Disposable blades are also more suitable for emergency use, as they can be taken straight from sterile packaging and used immediately without the need for pre-procedure disinfection.
3. Ease of Sterilization
Cleaning Protocol: When considering how to choose the right video laryngoscope, the ease of sterilization is crucial. Make sure that the reusable parts of the laryngoscope are resistant to your hospital’s standard sterilization methods, whether that is through autoclaving or high-level disinfection. Some laryngoscopes are easier to clean than others, which is critical for maintaining high infection control standards. CoreRay features a simple and efficient disinfection process for the display, holder, and reusable blades, ensuring safety and hygiene while meeting medical standards. For detailed instructions, refer to our disinfection procedure guide. The standard cleaning and disinfection process are as follows (detail in our article: CoreRay Video Laryngoscope: The Ultimate FAQ Guide) :
- After use of laryngoscope
2. Wet gauze with 75% alcohol wipes off dirt on the outside surface
3. Clean the disinfection room
4. Staff should wear necessary protective equipment
5. Wash by running water for the first time and wipe to dry
6. Enzymatic immersion
7. Cleaning and drying
8. Sterilization and storage in Ssterile Box
4. Visual Clarity and Technology
Camera Quality: High-resolution cameras are a key factor when you choose the right video laryngoscope for difficult intubations. Ensure clear, sharp imagery with good lighting in the video laryngoscope camera.
Display Setup: With some models, the display is inbuilt, while others are meant to be connected through monitors. Choose a system to suit your workflow in operation theaters or accident and emergency services.
5. Ergonomics and Design
Ease of Handling: The device should be easy to handle and intuitively usable, both by the experienced anesthesiologist and by less experienced staff in emergency situations.
Design of Blade: The benefit of a wide-angle view in the video laryngoscopes can be extended toward the management of the difficult airway, and some may alleviate problems related to challenging anatomical structures.
6. Battery Life and Portability
Battery Life: If your hospital uses the device for extended surgical cases, or during patient transports, it is vital to choose the right video laryngoscope with a long-lasting battery and portable design.
Portability: It is very important that video laryngoscope models be lightweight and easily portable in emergency situations or for use in many departments.
7. Cost and Budget Considerations
Upfront Expense vs. Savings Over Time: When you choose the right video laryngoscope, it’s important to balance the upfront cost with long-term savings, especially when considering reusable models. While the initial expense for reusable laryngoscopes may be higher, they can save your hospital money over time, as long as your sterilization procedures are effective.
Warranty and support: Check the warranty period and after-sales support. A strong customer service team can also be very important in terms of maintenance or repairs.
For a detailed breakdown of the best options available, along with pricing comparisons, check out our Ultimate Guide 2024: 8 Best Video Laryngoscopes and Price Comparison. This guide will help you evaluate various models based on cost, features, battery life, warranty, and overall value.
8. Training and Compatibility
Staff Training: This can be supported by how easily your staff can pick up the use of the video laryngoscope. Some models come with comprehensive training modules that may help reduce errors during use themselves.
Integration with existing equipment: The laryngoscope added should harmonize with the systems in the hospital, like monitors and storage of data, so that integration into the work is easy.
9. Regulatory Approvals and Certifications
Ensure the device follows the medical regulations of your country, meaning it must be within a specific country’s quality and safety standards, working under FDA or CE certified. CoreRay meets these standards with certifications from the FDA, CE, DoC, and ISO, ensuring global compliance and reliability.
FDA: In its purview, the Food and Drug Administration gives certification that a product conforms to regulatory standards of the United States government in respect of factors such as safety, efficacy, and quality.
DoC: It is the Declaration of Conformity, a statement where the manufacturer affirms that their product meets the requirements of the relevant directives and standards of the European Union; in other words, it shows conformance with the essential health and safety regulators.
ISO 13485: ISO 13485 is the International Standard that outlines the requirements for quality management systems specific to the medical device industry. It showcases a company’s commitment towards safe and effective medical devices, while at the same time being responsible about regulatory compliance.
10. User Feedback and Case Studies
Look for reviews from other hospitals and clinics that are currently using the video laryngoscope under consideration. Testimonials from other healthcare providers can give insight into the device in the real world.
Considering each of these factors allows for your hospital to make an educated decision considering cost, patient safety, and ease of use in determining the best tool for your staff to be equipped with for successful intubations.