title: Disinfection of flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopes after in vitro contamination with Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of various cleaning and disinfective methods in reducing bacterial and fungal load on flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopes (FFLs).
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopes contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Contamination with S aureus and C albicans was separately induced on FFLs, which were then disinfected with different protocols: 20-, 15-, 10-, and 5-minute soaks in ortho-phthalaldehyde (Cidex OPA; Johnson & Johnson) with or without presoaking in an enzymatic soap solution for 5 minutes; an isolated 5-minute soak in an enzymatic soap solution; a 30-second wipe with antibacterial soap and water; a 30-second wipe with isopropyl alcohol; a 30-second wipe with antibacterial soap, followed by a 30-second scrub with isopropyl alcohol; and a 30-second wipe with germicidal cloth, all accompanied by previous rinsing with 30 seconds of running tap water.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All protocols except the isolated 5-minute soak in enzymatic soap solution were successful in completely disinfecting the FFLs after experimental contamination with S aureus or C albicans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various different cleaning methods appeared to properly disinfect FFLs after inoculation with S aureus and C albicans in an in vitro model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loma Linda University, 11234 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Florea
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Seiberling
mesh_terms: D019840:2-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005976:Glutaral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D020704:Laryngoscopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D012915:Soaps / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
chemical_list: D012915:Soaps; D019840:2-Propanol; D005976:Glutaral