Evaluation of a hydrogen peroxide-based system for high-level disinfection of vaginal ultrasound probes.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the complex process and the risk of errors associated with the glutaraldehyde-based solutions previously used at our institution for disinfection, our department has implemented a new method for high-level disinfection of vaginal ultrasound probes: the hydrogen peroxide-based Trophon system (Nanosonics, Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia). The aim of this study was to compare the time difference, safety, and sonographers' satisfaction between the glutaraldehyde-based Cidex (CIVCO Medical Solutions, Kalona, IA) and the hydrogen peroxide-based Trophon disinfection systems.


METHODS
The Institutional Review Board approved a 14-question survey administered to the 13 sonographers in our department. Survey questions addressed a variety of aspects of the disinfection processes with graded responses over a standardized 5-point scale. A process diagram was developed for each disinfection method with segmental timing analysis, and a cost analysis was performed.


RESULTS
Nonvariegated analysis of the survey data with the Wilcoxon signed rank test showed a statistical difference in survey responses in favor of the hydrogen peroxide-based system over the glutaraldehyde-based system regarding efficiency (P = .0013), ease of use (P = .0013), ability to maintain work flow (P = .026), safety (P = .0026), fixing problems (P = .0158), time (P = .0011), and overall satisfaction (P = .0018). The glutaraldehyde-based system took 32 minutes versus 14 minutes for the hydrogen peroxide-based system; the hydrogen peroxide-based system saved on average 7.5 hours per week. The cost of the hydrogen peroxide-based system and weekly maintenance pays for itself if 1.5 more ultrasound examinations are performed each week.


CONCLUSIONS
The hydrogen peroxide-based disinfection system was proven to be more efficient and viewed to be easier and safer to use than the glutaraldehyde-based system. The adoption of the hydrogen peroxide-based system led to higher satisfaction among sonographers.
Department of Radiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70121 USA., ebluth@ochsner.org.
Stephen
S
Johnson
Matthew
M
Proctor
Edward
E
Bluth
Dana
D
Smetherman
Katherine
K
Baumgarten
Laurie
L
Troxclair
Michele
M
Bienvenu
D004202:Disinfectants / Q000191:economics; D004203:Disinfection / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005976:Glutaral / Q000191:economics*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000191:economics*; D008145:Louisiana; D014159:Transducers / Q000191:economics*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014621:Vagina
D004202:Disinfectants; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D005976:Glutaral
infection control; transvaginal ultrasound; ultrasound technology