Tonometer disinfection practice in the United Kingdom: A national survey

Abstract

Purpose: To assess current tonometer disinfection practice in the UK, and compare with published recommendations. Methods: Every ophthalmology unit with training recognition in the UK was contacted (n ¼ 155). A senior nurse at each institution completed a telephone questionnaire regarding local tonometer disinfection practice. Results: The response rate was 100%. Thirty-five units (23%) reported exclusive use of disposable tonometer heads and were excluded from further analysis. One hundred and twenty units (77%) used either reusable or a combination of reusable and disposable tonometer heads. Where reusable heads were used, 80 units (67%) immersed them in a chlorine-based solution such as sodium hypochlorite or sodium dichloroisocyanurate.

Slit lamps and lenses: a potential source of nosocomial infections?

“…Potential reservoirs of HAIs are different surfaces including stethoscopes [13,14], bed rails [15], faucet handles [16], and ophthalmic equipments, such as slit lamps [17], operating microscopes [18], tonometer tips [19][20][21][22], and felt-tipped marker pens [23]. In the digitial medicine also mobile phones [24] and computer keyboards [16] become more relevant vehicles for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms.…”

Reliability of tonosafe disposable tonometer prisms: clinical implications from the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System Quality Assurance Study

“…One UK study found that often only one Goldmann prism was provided per practitioner, thereby reducing the likelihood of adequate soak time between patients. 8 In a busy clinic setting, the supply must be greatly increased to avoid delay in patient care, with 200 Goldmann prisms required for routine use by practitioners. The VABHS clinic has seen a rate of damage and loss to the tips at 50% with SPD cleaning, creating a need for an additional 100 replacement tips.…”

“…3,5,6 Adenovirus can survive for 7-14 days at room temperature on a dry surface and is resistant to 70% isopropyl alcohol, 7 which is often used in busy clinic settings. 8 Improper sterilization techniques also increase the risk of corneal injury and burn secondary to residual cleansing solution on reusable Goldmann prisms. 9 Therefore, in 2009, the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System (VABHS) introduced single-use Tonosafe disposable tonometer prisms (Clement Clarke, Columbus, OH, USA) as an alternative to Goldmann tonometer prisms for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) across all general and specialty eye clinics.…”

Desinfektion von Kontakt-Tonometern – ein systematischer Review

“…Im Routineeinsatz werden diese vor allem aus Kostengründen meist nur selektiv bei Risikopatienten eingesetzt. In der klinischen Praxis werden überwiegend mehrfach verwendbare Tonometerköpfchen eingesetzt und auf Hypochlorit-Basis oder mit Wasserstoffperoxid desinfiziert[5,20]. Bei der Wahl der Desinfektionsflüssigkeit lassen die Empfehlungen von Fachgesellschaften 1:10 verdünnte Natriumhypochlorit-Lösung (i. e. 500 ppm), alternativ 3 %ige Wasserstoffperoxid-Lösung, 70 %iges Ethanol oder 70%igesIsopropanol zu [1].…”