
An International Publisher for Academic and Scientific Journals
Author Login
Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences | Volume-2 | Issue-04
A Comparative Study of Efficacy of Disinfectants Used for Flexible Endoscope: Glutaraldehyde versus Ortho-Phthalaldehyde
S.P. Venkatesh, S. Kothandapani, R. Marudavanan, S. Ponraj
Published: Aug. 30, 2014 |
175
404
DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i04.053
Pages: 1408-1412
Downloads
Abstract
Endoscopes have been used widely for the diagnosis and therapy of many surgical disorders. Endoscopes are
classified as semicritical item and thus though sterilisation is ideal, high-level disinfection is sufficient enough and is the
current reprocessing standard for flexible endoscope after each patient use. Glutaraldehyde (2%) has been used widely as
a high level disinfectant for over 30 years now because of its favourable materials compatibility and cheaper cost but its
immersion time is longer. The later arrival 0.55% Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) is promising because of its excellent
bactericidal activity, wide range of material compatibility and lesser immersion time but is not widely used mainly
because of its cost factor. Another advantage of using OPA is that it is effective against Glutaraldehyde resistant
mycobacteria. The study is a prospective randomised controlled trial comparing cost effectiveness, safety and handling
issues of 2% Glutaraldehyde and 0.55% Ortho-phthalaldehyde for disinfecting endoscope in our endoscopy unit. It was
observed that Ortho-phthalaldehyde was found to be more cost effective than the former (profit of Rs. 40000 as
compared to Rs.22950 during a study period of 20 days for each). It is very doctor friendly as more number of patients
could undergo endoscopy in a day (maximum 5 when compared to only 3 maximum with the former), needed only 10
min for disinfection (compared to 20 min), does not need any activation before use hence reducing waiting time between
two patients especially in a busy unit with only one endoscope. The microbiological safety is also better with the latter
agent (high level disinfection rate reaching almost 100%) obviating the need for replacing the long used Glutaraldehyde.