Investigators Evaluate Performance of an Alkaline Detergent Used in Automatic Washer-Disinfector

Different medical device cleaning and disinfection procedures are used on a large scale; it is an important procedure to remove organic and inorganic from medical devices to prevent cross-contamination. This study by Prasertpan, et al. (2017) aimed to determine the cleaning efficacy of an alkaline detergent used in an automatic washer disinfector machine in the central sterile supply department (CSSD) at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.

An alkaline detergent was developed by Pose Health Care Co., Ltd., Thailand. The programs were designed with different concentrations of alkaline detergent 50, 60, 80, and 100 mL (0.15, 0.18, 0.24, and 0.30 v/v, respectively) and two different temperatures (60 and 65 °C). The cleaning efficacy was monitored using a TOSI (EN ISO 15883) and Brown STF loaded check strips. Each program used three TOSI test kits and five Brown STF strips to evaluate the cleaning efficacy. Additionally, protein residue was detected with the Pyromol® test, protein residue check test, and fluorescence-based protein detection test. Moreover, biofilm and microorganisms were determined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The optimum concentration of the alkaline-based cleaning detergent and temperature were 60 mL (0.18 v/v) and 60 °C, respectively. This program (60 mL and 60 °C) produced undetectable protein residues, biofilm, and microorganisms on medical instruments after the cleaning process.

The researchers conclude that comparable to the recent condition of 100 mL (0.30 v/v) concentration and at 65 °C, the optimum condition of 60 mL concentration and at 60 °C reduced the cleaning costs by 40 percent per each cleaning process.

Reference: Prasertpan C, Saenjum C, Ouirungrog T and Uirungroj . DS9 Evaluation on the cleaning performance of an alkaline detergent used in an automatic washer disinfector machine. Abstracts from the 8th International Congress of the Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC); Bangkok, Thailand. Feb. 12-15, 2017. Accessed at: http://aricjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13756-017-0176-1#Sec126