Disinfection of Gastrointestinal Fibrescopes - Evaluation of the Disinfectants Dettox^® and Gigasept^®

Summary

The disinfectant solutions Dettox^® (based on a quaternary ammonium compound) and Gigasept^® (based on succine dialdehyde) were evaluated during disinfection procedures with a new disinfecting apparatus for gastrointestinal fibrescopes. Thorough disinfection was achieved after 2 minutes using Dettox 8 % or Gigasept 10 %; persistent fibrescope contamination with Gram-negative organisms was found after disinfection with Dettox 4 % or Gigasept 5 %. No adverse effects in endoscopy staff or damage to fibrescopes were seen. Adequate disinfection of endoscopic equipment prevents endoscopy-related infection and can be readily achieved by trained endoscopy staff using rapidly bactericidal disinfectants.

Key words:

Disinfection of fibrescopes - New disinfecting apparatus - Evaluation of disinfectants