Assessing the efficacy and cost of detergents used in a primary care automated washer disinfector

Winter, S., McDonagh, G., Lappin, D. and Smith, A.J. (2018) Assessing the efficacy and cost of detergents used in a primary care automated washer disinfector. British Dental Journal, 225, pp. 315-319. (doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.643) (PMID:30141495)

Abstract

Background: Cleaning of re-usable medical devices is a critical control point in the decontamination cycle, although defined end-points of the process are controversial. Objective: Investigate cleaning efficacy and cost of different detergent classes in an automated washer disinfector (AWD) designed for dental practice. Methods: Loads comprised test soiled dental hand instruments in cassettes and extraction forceps. Residual protein assayed using the International standard method (ISO 15883-5:2005) 1% SDS elution with ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) or GBox technology (on instrument OPA analysis). Short (60 minutes) and long (97 minutes) AWD cycles were used with four different classes of detergents, tap water and reverse osmosis water. Results: SDS elution analysis (N = 612 instruments) demonstrated four detergents with both wash cycles achieved equivalent cleanliness levels and below a threshold of 200 μg protein/instrument. GBox methodology (N = 575) using UK Department of Health threshold of 5 μg/instrument side demonstrated that tap water performed with the greatest efficacy for all types of instruments and cycle types. Conclusions: Using International standard methodology, different detergent classes had equivalence in cleaning efficacy. Cheaper detergents used in this study performed with similar efficacy to more expensive solutions. Findings emphasise the importance of validating the detergent (type and concentration) for each AWD.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This study was funded by a grant from the Chief Dental Officer for Scotland (University of Glasgow Grant No. 168,007–1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Winter, Ms Sandra and Smith, Professor Andrew and Lappin, Dr David and McDonagh, Mr George
• Authors: Winter, S., McDonagh, G., Lappin, D., and Smith, A.J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: British Dental Journal
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 0007-0610
• ISSN (Online): 1476-5373
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Springer Nature
• First Published: First published in British Dental Journal 225:315-319
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher