Single-Use Plastic Laryngoscope Blade vs. Reusable Metal Blade for Prehospital Intubation

The use of disposable medical devices in the prehospital environment has many logistical advantages, but often the single-use version of a device is inferior to its reusable counterpart. In an observational study, researchers compared success rates for prehospital intubations performed by emergency physicians, anesthesiologists, and flight nurses during the year before and the year after a French emergency medical services system switched from reusable metal laryngoscope blades to single-use plastic blades. No other changes in practice, equipment, or training were introduced.

Overall, 594 intubations were performed with metal blades and 583 with plastic blades.

The first-attempt success rate was significantly higher with metal blades than wit…