A systematic evaluation of a peracetic-acid-based high performance disinfectant

Abstract

The importance of environmental contamination in the spread of HAI has generated a need for high performance disinfectants. Currently chlorine based disinfectants are the products of choice, a position reflected in UK guidance. The aim of this research was to evaluate a peracetic acid (PAA) generating disinfectant to determine if it provided a realistic alternative to commonly used chlorine based disinfectants. The European standards framework was employed in this study and enhanced where appropriate by reducing the contact times, increasing the organic and microbial challenge, and changing the organisms involved. When tested against bacteria and spores PAA provided similar or better performance than currently employed levels of chlorine. This was particularly the case in the presence of an organic challenge or dried surface contamination. The chlorine disinfectants only demonstrated superior performance in the case of fungal spores. These results suggest that PAA generating products provide an effective alternative to chlorine based products up to 10,000 ppm free available chlorine. These products have superior performance in situations with spore borne, surface contamination and high organic challenge. In cases where filamentous fungi are a concern, high levels of PAA (>5000 ppm) would be required to match the performance of chlorine based disinfectants.

Decontamination of common healthcare facility surfaces contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 using peracetic acid dry fogging

“…In this study, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was suspended in a standard tripartite organic soil load to represent such a challenging milieu, and then dried on to the test coupons. As noted before, PAA – both in the liquid and the fumigant form – tolerates organic soil load well, which is consistent with our finding here, where all the surfaces were decontaminated upon a 1 h exposure [ 34 , 47 ]. Expensive electronic equipment is plentiful in modern healthcare settings; they are a necessity to provide modern patient care.…”

Decontamination of Common Healthcare Facility Surfaces Contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 using Peracetic Acid Dry Fogging

“…In this study, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was suspended in a standard tripartite organic soil load to represent such a challenging milieu, and then dried on to the test coupons. As noted before, PAA both in the liquid and the fumigant form (33,46), tolerates organic soil load well, which is consistent with our finding here, where all the surfaces were decontaminated upon a one hour exposure. Expensive electronic equipment is plentiful in modern healthcare settings, they are a necessity to provide state of the art patient care.…”

Identification of Clostridium difficile Reservoirs in The Patient Environment and Efficacy of Aerial Hydrogen Peroxide Decontamination

“…All routine cleaning and terminal cleaning was performed manually using microfiber cloths (for surfaces) and microfiber mops (for floor areas) pretreated with a peracetic acid-based disinfectant (DiffX, MTP Innovations, UK) 5 and prepared in house by domestic cleaning staff. Both routine and terminal cleaning applied to all reusable equipment, furniture, nonporous surfaces, and floors.…”

“…A sachet of peracetic acid generating powder (20g) was dissolved in 1-4 litres of warm water as required with a 20 minute dwell time. 5 Equipment, curtains, bed handrail and frame, furniture, doors, window sills and call bell were cleaned with cloths soaked in the solution. Surfaces were dusted and floors were dry and wet mopped.…”