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.

^aNumber of respondents varied for individual items (eg, number of eligible respondents less number who elected not to answer).

^bBased on previous 7 calendar days.

^cPercentages may total >100 because respondents could select >1 answer.

^dIncludes only time loading or unloading instruments, adding and/or replacing HLD solution, and cleaning processors or trays.