Quality control is indispensable for automated dilution systems with accelerated hydrogen peroxide

Area of Science:

• Healthcare-associated infection control
• Environmental hygiene and disinfection

Background:

• Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP) disinfectants are increasingly used in healthcare for environmental decontamination.
• Automated dilution systems offer economic, efficiency, and safety benefits over manual methods.
• Current quality control (QC) and preventative maintenance standards for these systems are insufficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the reliability of automated dilution control systems for accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP) disinfectants at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS).
• To identify potential deficiencies in the performance of automated AHP dilution systems in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• Three automated dilution systems for Percept (7% AHP) and PerDiem (3% AHP) were evaluated daily for 30 days.
• Virox AHP indicator test strips were used to verify use-dilution concentrations against manufacturer specifications.
• QC failures triggered repeat testing, and system servicing or use of ready-to-use product was implemented as needed.

Main Results:

• Nine quality control failures occurred across three systems within the 30-day period.
• Seven failures involved Percept, with concentrations significantly below the target 5000 ppm.
• Two failures involved PerDiem, with concentrations above the required 100 ppm.

Conclusions:

• Automated dilution systems require stringent quality control and preventative maintenance for optimal disinfectant efficacy.
• Adherence to manufacturer-specified dilutions is essential for effective decontamination in healthcare environments.
• Ensuring proper function of automated dilution systems is critical for patient safety and infection prevention.