Related Experiment Videos
[Peracetic acid: alternative to the sterilization of bronchofibroscopes]
J I Villate1, J Barrón, R Zalacaín
1Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital de Cruces, Baracaldo, Vizcaya.
Abstract:
The Steris system for cold sterilization with peracetic acid was evaluated by effecting a series of contaminations of a fiberoptic bronchoscope (FB) with specimens of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii and Mycobacterium kansasi. The FB was contaminated 24 times, 8 times by each microorganism, using specimens containing more than 10(8) cfu/ml. After fixing the secretions on the FB and washing it with enzyme soap, the BF was sterilized. Specimens were taken for culturing after contamination of the FB, after washing, immediately after sterilization and 1 hour after sterilization. No microorganism growth of any of the samples was detected either immediately after sterilization or one hour later. Microbiological data confirmed contamination of the FB after aspiration and fixation of the inoculate. Chemical and biological tests with B. stearothermophilus spores as specified by the manufacturer were correct in all cases: 24 contaminations and 52 processes of prior training. The efficacy of washing with enzyme soap before sterilization stands out. In 14 of the 24 samples, culture was negative after washing and in 7 the concentration of microorganisms was less than 500 cfu/ml, which confirms the need for appropriate washing before any disinfection or sterilization process is begun. In conclusion, the Steris system based on peracetic acid is an alternative to other systems for cold sterilization or high level disinfection.
Insights
The Steris system effectively sterilizes fiberoptic bronchoscopes using peracetic acid, demonstrating no microbial growth post-treatment. Thorough pre-sterilization washing significantly enhances the system's disinfection efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Device Sterilization
Background:
- Fiberoptic bronchoscopes (FB) require effective sterilization to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
- Cold sterilization methods are crucial for heat-sensitive medical instruments like FBs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the Steris system utilizing peracetic acid for cold sterilization of fiberoptic bronchoscopes.
- To assess the impact of pre-sterilization washing on microbial decontamination.
Main Methods:
- Fiberoptic bronchoscopes were intentionally contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, and Mycobacterium kansasi.
- Samples were cultured after contamination, washing, and immediately/1 hour post-sterilization.
- Chemical and biological indicators (Bacillus stearothermophilus spores) were used to validate the sterilization process.
Main Results:
- No microbial growth was detected in any samples immediately or 1 hour after Steris system sterilization.
- Pre-sterilization washing with enzyme soap was highly effective, yielding negative cultures in 14/24 samples and significantly reducing microbial load in others.
- Chemical and biological tests confirmed the system's performance throughout 24 contaminations and 52 training cycles.
Conclusions:
- The Steris system with peracetic acid is a viable and effective option for cold sterilization or high-level disinfection of fiberoptic bronchoscopes.
- Appropriate pre-sterilization cleaning is critical for maximizing the effectiveness of disinfection and sterilization processes.
- This study validates the Steris system's capability to eliminate challenging microorganisms from complex medical devices.