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Efficacy of a Washer-Pasteurizer for Disinfection of Respiratory-Care Equipment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

William A. Rutala ,
David J. Weber ,
Maria F. Gergen  and
Albert R. Gratta
William A. Rutala*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina (UNC), School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Departments of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
David J. Weber
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina (UNC), School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Departments of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Maria F. Gergen
Affiliation:
Departments of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Albert R. Gratta
Affiliation:
Respiratory Care, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
*
547 Burnett-Womack Bldg, CB #7030, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 275997030
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Abstract

We evaluated the efficacy of a commercial washer-pasteurizer. Carriers were inoculated with 104 to 106 test organisms and pasteurized at 170°F for 30 minutes. Pasteurization eliminated all test organisms with the exception of Bacillus subtilis spores. Pasteurization appears efficacious for the disinfection of respiratory-care equipment and could result in a cost savings of approximately $30,000 per year.

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 21 , Issue 5 , May 2000 , pp. 333 - 336
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2000

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