Group 1 (alcohol-swabbing) cones were wiped using sterile gauze and cotton-tipped applicators soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol ( Fig. After the first culturing stage, we allocated cleaning methods on the cones and divided them into 3 categories. We randomly drew 10 otoscope cones from the department of otorhinolaryngology (ORL) and 2 cones from the appertained emergency department. This study was carried out from July 2015 to September 2015 at Wonju Severance Christian University Hospital, Yonsei Wonju University of Medicine. 5) The goal of our current study is to evaluate the level of bacterial contamination in disinfected otoscope cones from different hospitals and compare the efficiency of the cleaning methods on, pre- and post-cleansing. In a recent pilot study, alcohol-swabbing, alcohol-soaking, or autoclaved techniques were analyzed for their efficacy. 4) However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no known data reported study on veterinary or human nosocomial infections caused by a contaminated otoscope cone.Īlthough all reusable medical equipment are cleaned and maintained according to the manufacturer instructions to prevent patient-to-patient transmission of infectious agents, no study has evaluated the efficacy of the cleaning techniques in a controlled environment. 2, 3) Ear canal is susceptible to nosocomial infections caused by the use of contaminated equipment used for examination. In hospitals, there have been numerous reports of contaminated reusable instruments leading to morbidity and mortality among patients. 1) These cones repeatedly come into contact with the surface of the ear canal of several patients, and therefore, become contaminated with microorganisms. Otorhinolaryngologists use otoscope cones on a daily basis to examine the healthy and diseased ear canals of patients at the hospital. Tel : +82-3, Fax : +82-3, E-mail : otoscope is a basic instrument used for ear examination, and often, to screen for therapeutic interventions. Keywords: Alcohol swabㆍ Cross-infectionㆍ Disinfectionㆍ OtoscopeĪddress for correspondence : Jeong Pyo Bong, MD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, 20 Ilsan-ro, Wonju 26426, Korea However, further studies are required to establish the most appropriate disinfection protocol to prevent infection from microorganisms. We found that disinfection by alcohol-swabbing alone is sufficient for sterilizing otoscope cones.Ĭlinically, this information may be useful to otorhinolaryngologists. The three methods were significantly effective on sterilizing microorganisms.ĬONCLUSION: An otoscope can be a vector for spreading infection.
After a week of cleansing, no bacteria were seen in group 1 (0%, 0/8), whereas group 2 (14.3%, 1/7), and group 3 (28.6%, 2/7) still showed remaining microorganisms. Staphylococcus was the most common bacteria found (16/22). RESULTS: Most of the pre-sterilized otoscopes (20/22) were obtained from the hospitals which demonstrated contamination with microorganisms. Otoscopes were cleaned for a week by employing these techniques. The samples were cultured twice, first before the disinfection process and then after the disinfection process. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We randomly drew 22 otoscope cones from university hospitals and 10 from private hospitals.Ĭones were divided into three groups accordingly to their sterilization methods: group 1 was wiped with 70% isopropyl alcohol, group 2 was soaked for 20 min in 70% isopropyl alcohol, and group 3 was soaked in CIDEX solution. In this regard, we decided to investigate contaminated otoscopes for possible bacterial contamination and evaluate the efficacy of the otoscope disinfection methods. An inappropriately sterilized otoscope has been reported to be a possible bacterial vector for infection.
내 이경 소독법에 대한 고찰-알코올 스왑 소독īACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An otoscope is a basic instrument used by otorhinolaryngologists. Is Alcohol Swabbing Sufficient to Clean Otoscopes in Hospitals?.Ĭheol Hyo Ku, Young Sub Lee, Young Joon Seo, Jeong Pyo Bongĭepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea. Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2016 59(8): 578-582.
0 kommentar(er)
