Table 2. Disinfection Operational Characteristics.
Disinfection Characteristica,b | % |
---|---|
HLDs usedc | (n =4,244) |
Glutaraldehyde | 66 |
Ortho-phthalaldehyde | 20 |
Peracetic acid | 20 |
Hydrogen peroxide | 12 |
Hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid | 4 |
Other HLDs | <1 |
HLD used most often | (n =4,231) |
Glutaraldehyde | 59 |
Peracetic acid | 16 |
Ortho-phthalaldehyde | 15 |
Hydrogen peroxide | 8 |
Hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid | 2 |
Other HLDs | <1 |
No. of days disinfecting with HLDs | (n =4,364) |
1 | 35 |
2 | 15 |
3 | 14 |
4 | 13 |
5 | 16 |
6 or 7 | 7 |
Total time spent handling HLDsc,d | (n=4394) |
<1 h | 63 |
1–5 h | 27 |
6–20 h | 7 |
21–40 h | 3 |
>40 h | 1 |
No. of instruments disinfected with HLDs | (n=4288) |
≥10 | 71 |
11–20 | 12 |
21–50 | 9 |
51–100 | 5 |
>100 | 3 |
Type of disinfection system usedc | (n=4195) |
Automated | 48 |
Manual | 64 |
note. HLD, high-level disinfectant.
Number of respondents varied for individual items (eg, number of eligible respondents less number who elected not to answer).
Based on previous 7 calendar days.
Percentages may total >100 because respondents could select >1 answer.
Includes only time loading or unloading instruments, adding and/or replacing HLD solution, and cleaning processors or trays.