New research has highlighted the potential corrosive damage to medical devices caused by ongoing exposure to chlorine-based disinfectants. This could result in infection risk as well as expense in replacing damaged equipment, according to Synergy Health, which commissioned the laboratory tests. The research findings were presented to clinicians by Sharon King, senior product manager for Synergy Health, at The Infection Prevention Society Conference.
The study tested the corrosive impact of two market leading hypochlorite cleaning solutions alongside chlorine-free AzoMaxActive disinfectant, which contains Byotrol technology.
An immersion test was undertaken in the laboratory to compare the corrosiveness of the three solutions on a range of test substrates frequently used in the construction of medical devices, such as hospital bed frames and mattress covers.
The test results showed that the chlorine-based solutions had a major detrimental effect on the stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminium alloy and sections of a high performance two-way stretch mattress cover. The AzoMaxActive solution had no effect on the stainless steel and mattress cover samples – showing some signs of corrosion to the carbon steel and aluminium samples, but to a far lesser extent than the hypochlorite solutions.
Testing was performed in accordance with Standard Practice for Laboratory Immersion Testing and undertaken over a 6 month period. Disinfectant solutions were replaced every 7 days and samples photographed for comparison purposes after 7, 28 and 154 days. Each disinfectant test solution was tested at 1000 and 3000 ppm, with a sample of each substrate immersed into the appropriate concentration of disinfectant solution at ambient temperature.
Sharon King said: “Anecdotal evidence suggesting that mattresses and bed frames can suffer damage following exposure to chlorine based disinfectants is now borne out by the laboratory tests. Damage to mattress covers is particularly serious from the perspective of infection risk, and there are major financial implications for healthcare Trusts who are faced with the significant cost of replacing corroded equipment.”
