Oxygen nipple and nut (Christmas tree) adaptor contamination rates and decontamination with disinfecting wipes. (27th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Colandrea, Nicole A.; Cleary, Michael L.; Peaper, David R.; Sullivan, Linda K.; Martinello, Richard A.; Murray, Thomas S.
• Is Part Of: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. Volume 41:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 396
• Page End: 399
• Publication Date: 2020-04-27
• Subjects: Nosocomial infections -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Hospital buildings -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-823X

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Different manufacturers recommend different levels of disinfection for oxygen nipple and nut adaptors, also known as Christmas-tree adaptors (CTAs). We aimed to determine the bacterial contamination rates of CTAs before and after clinical use and whether disinfection wipes effectively eliminate bacteria from CTAs. Methods: CTAs were swabbed for bacteria directly from the shipment box or after use in a medical intensive care unit to determine levels of contamination. CTAs were also inoculated in the laboratory with a variety of bacteria and disinfected with either 0.5% hydrogen peroxide (Oxivir 1) or 0.25% tetra-ammonium chloride with 44.50% isopropyl alcohol (Super Sani-Cloth), and the effectiveness of each wipe was determined by comparing the bacterial recovery before and after disinfection. Results: CTAs exhibit low levels of bacterial burden before and after clinical use. Both disinfecting wipes were effective at removing bacteria from the CTAs. Conclusions: Low-level disinfection of CTAs is appropriate prior to redeployment in the clinical setting.