title: [Microbial contamination of wash water in automatic washing and disinfection machines].
abstract: Samples were taken from the water containing tube system of 7 cleaning and disinfection machines located at the university clinics. The machines were used for the treatment of medical tools. The samples were bacteriologically examined. The results showed systemic contaminations of the tubes of all tested machines. The well known positive effect of common ion-exchangers on bacterial growth was not the only reason for the high degree of microbial contaminations. Partial bacterial growth on the inner sides of the water tubes was detected. The reason was the use of bacteriological objectionable tube materials. Recontamination of the post treated medical tools is possible at any time by the last washing water. Preceding sterile filtration showed as supposed no effect. Consequences for the use of cleaning and disinfection machines are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Hygiene-Institut Universität Bonn.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kolch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krizek
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schoenen
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000592:standards*; D014871:Water Microbiology
vernacular_title: Mikrobielle-Kontaminationen von Spülwasser in Reinigungs- und Desinfektionsautomaten.