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Plasma-activated water: a new and effective alternative for duodenoscope reprocessing
Gheorghe G Bălan1, Irina Roşca2, Elena-Laura Ursu2
1Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iaşi, Romania.
Infection and Drug Resistance
|May 31, 2018
Summary
Plasma activated water (PAW) effectively disinfects duodenoscopes against multidrug-resistant bacteria without damaging the material. This study shows PAW is a viable alternative for reprocessing medical equipment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Duodenoscopes are critical for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography but linked to multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
- Plasma activated water (PAW) shows promise for medical equipment disinfection.
- Concerns exist regarding the compatibility of duodenoscopes with repeated PAW use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the suitability of current duodenoscopes for repeated PAW reprocessing.
- To evaluate the disinfection efficacy of PAW against common pathogens found on duodenoscopes.
Main Methods:
- Duodenoscopes were contaminated with resistant bacteria (E. coli, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa).
- Samples underwent repeated exposure to PAW (30 minutes daily for 45 days) to test material compatibility.
- Bacterial reduction and material integrity (morphology, elemental composition) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- PAW treatment for 30 minutes achieved significant bacterial reduction, indicating high-level disinfection.
- Repeated PAW exposure did not cause significant changes in the duodenoscope polymer's surface morphology.
- Elemental composition of the polymer remained unchanged after repeated PAW treatments.
Conclusions:
- PAW demonstrates high-level disinfection efficacy for duodenoscopes.
- Duodenoscope materials are compatible with repeated PAW reprocessing.
- PAW presents a promising new alternative for duodenoscope reprocessing.
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