New Disinfection and Sterilization Methods
Author Information
Author(s): William A. Rutala, David J. Weber
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina (UNC) Health Care System and UNC School of Medicine
Hypothesis
New disinfection and sterilization technologies can improve patient care and reduce the risk of infections.
Conclusion
The study reviews new disinfection and sterilization methods that have the potential to enhance patient care, although their antimicrobial activity has not been independently validated.
Supporting Evidence
- New disinfection methods include persistent antimicrobial coatings and high-level disinfectants.
- New sterilization methods include automated systems for endoscopes and rapid readout biological indicators.
- Surfacine shows excellent elimination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria for at least 13 days.
Takeaway
This study talks about new ways to clean and sterilize medical tools and surfaces to help keep patients safe from infections.
Methodology
The study reviews technologies cleared by the FDA or submitted for clearance, focusing on their potential benefits and limitations.
Limitations
The antimicrobial activity of the new technologies has not been independently validated.
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