title: Evaluation of disinfection of flexible nasendoscopes using Tristel wipes: a prospective single blind study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The otorhinolaryngology department at Northwick Park Hospital uses the Tristel wipes system for cleaning nasendoscopes in the outpatient clinics. This system uses chlorine dioxide as its only disinfectant. The manufacturer claims the system provides safe sterilisation  of nasendoscopes. However, there appear to be no reports in the literature to date that evaluate the efficacy of this system in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 'in use' efficacy of Tristel wipes in decontaminating nasendoscopes and to identify any significant  contamination between cleaning and usage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 31 cleaning episodes were performed. Each cleaning episode included two swabs after cleaning the scopes, one from the tip and the other from the handle. Another two swabs from the same areas were also taken before application  to the patient. The microbiology unit evaluated all swabs for bacterial, fungal and mycobacterial growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 123 swabs from 31 cleaning episodes were tested. None of the swabs taken from the tips (n=31) or handles (n=31) after cleaning with Tristel wipes developed  any organism growth. Furthermore, none of the swabs taken from the tip of the scopes before using on patients (n=31) developed any growth. Of the 31 swabs taken from the handle before use, 3 developed significant staphylococcal growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study, the 'in use' efficacy  of Tristel wipes in cleaning the scopes of bacteria, fungi and mycobacteria was 100%. Attention to hand hygiene and the use of gloves should be considered when handling the cleaned scopes to minimise the risk of contamination between cleaning and application to patients.
authors.affiliation: North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. ktzanid@hotmail.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tzanidakis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Choudhury
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weerasinghe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marais
mesh_terms: D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004202:Disinfectants; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D019723:Endoscopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010087:Oxides; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants; D010087:Oxides; C025109:chlorine dioxide