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Evaluation of a new technology for terminal sterilization of flexible endoscopes using hydrogen peroxide gas plasma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2025

Martin M. Varghese ,
Samir Memic Open the ORCID record for Samir Memic [Opens in a new window] ,
Maria M. Torres-Teran ,
Jennifer L. Cadnum ,
William A. Rutala  and
Curtis J. Donskey Open the ORCID record for Curtis J. Donskey [Opens in a new window]
Martin M. Varghese
Affiliation:
Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA
Samir Memic
Affiliation:
Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA
Maria M. Torres-Teran
Affiliation:
Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA
Jennifer L. Cadnum
Affiliation:
Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA
William A. Rutala
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Curtis J. Donskey*
Affiliation:
Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Infectious Diseases Section, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
*
Corresponding author: Curtis J. Donskey; Email: curtis.donskey@va.gov
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Abstract

In laboratory testing, a novel hydrogen peroxide gas plasma endoscope sterilizer consistently reduced vegetative organisms, but not bacterial spores, to undetectable levels in the presence of high organism load (≥6.5 log10) and organic material and salts. These findings highlight the importance of meticulous cleaning of endoscopes prior to sterilization.

Type
Concise Communication
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 46 , Issue 3 , March 2025 , pp. 327 - 329
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Copyright
© Department of Veterans Affairs, 2025. This is a work of the US Government and is not subject to copyright protection within the United States. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

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References

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