Disinfection Efficacy of an Automated Endoscopic Reprocessing System with Ozonated Water

Kim, Jeong Soon; Kim, In Hwan; Park, Sang Soon; Min, Sun Yang; Baik, Hyun Wook; Park, Ju Sang; Jang, Eun Jeong; Park, Sang Jong; Nam, Ki Hyung; Lee, Seong Kyu; Kim, Hyun Soo

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of automated ozonated water endoscopic reprocessing system (AORS).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty cases were collected and randomly assigned to 3 groups according to the disinfection methods (Group A, AORS for 5 minutes; Group B, AORS for 10 minutes; Group C, automated disinfection with superoxidized water for 3 minutes 30 seconds). After disinfection was finished, samples were collected from the tip of scopes (Site 1, S1) and rinsing water through biopsy channel (Site 2, S2). Samples were inoculated in blood agar plate for 48 hrs, and then colony count was evaluated.
RESULTS
Culture positive rate of S1 was 0% in all three groups. Culture positive rates of S2 were 70% (7/10), 70% (7/10) and 90% (9/10) in group A, group B and group C, respectively. High culture rate group (> or = 1 CFU/ml rinsing water) was 0% (0/10), 30% (3/10) and 70% (7/10) in group A, group B and group C, respectively. Disinfection efficacy between group A and C showed a significant difference in high culture rate (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
AORS for 5min was at least equally effective in endoscopic reprocessing compared with the conventional superoxidized water system.