title: Efficacy of a washer-pasteurizer for disinfection of respiratory-care equipment.
abstract: We evaluated the efficacy of a commercial washer-pasteurizer. Carriers were inoculated with 10(4) to 10(6) test organisms and pasteurized at 170 degrees 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7030, USA.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rutala
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gergen
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gratta
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003363:Cost Control; D004203:Disinfection / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008670:Metals; D010969:Plastics; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D010969:Plastics