Is a chlorine dioxide wiping procedure suitable for the high-level disinfection of nasendoscopes?

The use of ultraviolet light generated from light-emitting diodes for the disinfection of transvaginal ultrasound probes

Transvaginal ultrasound probes (TVUS) are used for several gynecological procedures. These need to be disinfected between patient use. In the current study we examine whether UVC delivered using light emitting diodes for 90 seconds can provide sufficient disinfection efficacy. A new UVC device that delivers UVC radiation at 265nm-275nm for 90 seconds was used. TVUS probes were swabbed before and after use in an in vitro fertilization clinic. Microbes on the swabs were cultured and identified. In addition, the ability of the UVC device to provided repeated high-level disinfection was analysed by deliberately contaminating probes with spores of Bacillus subtilis and then performing the UVC disinfection and bacterial culture. 50% of probes were contaminated with bacteria, most commonly Bacillus sp., directly after in vivo use. Whereas 97% were sterile after UVC disinfection for 90 seconds. The UVC treatment resulted in no growth of B. subtilis spores after each of five repeated contaminations with 5-9 x 107 spores on the probes. This study has found that UVC delivered via light emitting diodes for only 90 seconds can produce high level disinfection of transvaginal probes.

Infection Control for Perioperative Ultrasonography and Echocardiography

Ultrasound technology has revolutionized point-of-care diagnostics, decision-making, and the guidance of interventional procedures in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. Recent literature has highlighted important infection control considerations when performing transesophageal or transthoracic echocardiography, point-of-care ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided procedures. This narrative review focuses on operator precautions and disinfection methods and summarizes key recommendations from the international Echocardiography and Radiology Societies.

Optometry Australia's infection control guidelines 2020

Optometry Australia's infection control guidelines 2020 deliver a revision of the paper: Infection control guidelines for optometrists 2016. A review of recent literature was undertaken, with information collected from peer-reviewed journal articles, guidelines from professional societies, government health departments and instructions from equipment manufacturers. This information was used to provide an update on current infection control best practice. The guidelines are presented in two sections: standard precautions and transmission-based precautions. The standard (routine) precautions section covers: hand hygiene; personal protective equipment; safe handling and disposal of sharps; routine environmental cleaning; reprocessing of reusable equipment, instruments and contact lenses; respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette; aseptic and clean technique; and waste management. The transmission-based precautions section covers considerations for optometry staff and/or patients when standard precautions alone may not be sufficient to prevent the spread of an infectious agent; particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, a comprehensive list of disinfection or sterilisation techniques to use on reusable devices, instruments or equipment in optometric practice is provided in an Appendix.

Disposable chlorine dioxide wipes for high-level disinfection in the ENT department: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngoscope reprocessing methods should be effective, rapid and reproducible with moderate cost. Tristel Trio Wipes system (TTWS) is a manual reprocessing method based on chlorine dioxide that has lately emerged in ENT department. This review aims to collect evidence on this system.

METHODS

The PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched for all the studies on TTWS or one of its components. Data were grouped according to the study type.

RESULTS

Ten articles were included in the review. TTWS ensured high-level disinfection in laboratory and clinical setting. Although the limitations of the manual systems, TTWS proved to be faster than automated endoscope reprocessing (AER) and safe for patients and health-care workers. TTWS represented cheaper system than AER or sheaths in low- and medium-volume centers.

CONCLUSION

TTWS could be a valid, safe and fast HLD method for nasopharyngoscopes, with reasonable costs for medium-low reprocessing volumes.

A smart multi-functional coating based on anti-pathogen micelles tethered with copper nanoparticlesviaa biosynthesis method usingl-vitamin C

A multi-functional anti-pathogen coating with “release-killing”, “contact-killing” and “anti-adhesion” properties was prepared from biocompatible polymer encapsulated chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) which protected the active ingredient from the outside environment.