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. 2006 Feb;62(2):149-55.
doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2005.07.020. Epub 2005 Dec 6.

Decontamination of rooms, medical equipment and ambulances using an aerosol of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant

B M Andersen  1 , M Rasch, K Hochlin, F-H Jensen, P Wismar, J-E Fredriksen
Affiliations

Decontamination of rooms, medical equipment and ambulances using an aerosol of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant

B M Andersen et al. J Hosp Infect. 2006 Feb.

Abstract

A programmable device (Sterinis, Gloster Sante Europe) providing a dry fume of 5% hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) disinfectant was tested for decontamination of rooms, ambulances and different types of medical equipment. Pre-set concentrations were used according to the volumes of the rooms and garages. Three cycles were performed with increasing contact times. Repetitive experiments were performed using Bacillus atrophaeus (formerly Bacillus subtilis) Raven 1162282 spores to control the effect of decontamination; after a sampling plan, spore strips were placed in various positions in rooms, ambulances, and inside and outside the items of medical equipment. Decontamination was effective in 87% of 146 spore tests in closed test rooms and in 100% of 48 tests in a surgical department when using three cycles. One or two cycles had no effect. The sporicidal effect on internal parts of the medical equipment was only 62.3% (220 tests). When the devices were run and ventilated during decontamination, 100% (57/57) of spore strips placed inside were decontaminated. In the ambulances, the penetration of H(2)O(2) into equipment, devices, glove boxes, under mattresses, and the drivers' cabins was 100% (60/60 tests) when using three cycles, but was less effective when using one or two cycles. In conclusion, an H(2)O(2) dry fumigation system, run in three cycles, seemed to have a good sporicidal effect when used in rooms, ambulances, and external and internal parts of ventilated equipment. Further studies need to be performed concerning concentration, contact time and the number of cycles of H(2)O(2). This is especially important for inner parts of medical equipment that cannot be ventilated during the decontamination process.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Decontamination of rooms and equipment with a hydrogen peroxide aerosol, using a pre-programmed robot.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Decontamination of ambulances with a hydrogen peroxide aerosol, using a robot in a garage (round large spot), and control of effect using spore tests (small dots).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Decontamination of test rooms and 22 rooms in a surgical department with three cycles of a hydrogen peroxide aerosol.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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