The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends reprocessing medical devices as a disinfection method. Though, the FDA also reported that reprocessing may not totally eliminate the presence of disease-causing pathogens in used medical devices.
The failure of reprocessing in some clinical settings could increase the transmission of disease-causing organisms. Apart from the failure rate of reprocessing, some medical devices may be sensitive to disinfection methods such as heat, chemicals, etc. This article discusses the role of UV light disinfection of medical devices, including transesophageal echocardiography probes.
TEE probes current method of disinfection
TEE probes fall into the category of semi-critical medical devices, and the American College of Emergency Physicians recommends using a single-use probe cover and high-level disinfection between each use. The use of a probe cover reduces the degree of microbial contamination during use.
Here are the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for high-level disinfection:
- Clean TEE probes immediately after use.
- Disinfect using a high-level disinfectant for 20 minutes, which is the FDA-approved exposure time.
- After high-level disinfection, rinse using sterile, filtered water or tap water, followed by an alcohol rinse.
Disinfection using a UV-C device
UV-C disinfection process has more potent sporicidal effects than high-level disinfectants for disinfecting semi-critical devices such as TEE probes.
In a study comparing the sporicidal activity between a UV-C device and three FDA approved high-level disinfectants, researchers found that the UV disinfection process had a more substantial sporicidal efficacy within a 35 seconds exposure. This indicates the potential efficacy of UV disinfection, even within a short exposure duration.
Disinfecting TEE probes with the D60
Our UV Smart D60 is able to disinfect TEE probes in 60 seconds due to our patented Impelux technology. The D60 is registered at the FDA as a class II medical device. It is clinically validated to be effective against a broad spectrum of disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Researchers from several health institutions and laboratories have discovered the efficacy of D60 against disease-causing microbes.
For instance, the Eurofins Scientific Laboratories found that D60 fulfilled the criteria for high-Level disinfection standards for the full spectrum of microorganisms.
Similarly, medical professionals at Medical University hospital of Gent (BE) found a clear decrease in the number of Colony-forming units on TEE probes after disinfection with the D60.
Benefits of using D60
Here are some benefits of disinfection using D60.
- Efficiency: Saves you time because disinfection is completed in 60 seconds
- Saves energy: With a power consumption of only 0.01 kWh per cycle, the D60 consumes over 30x times less energy than an average washer disinfector.
- No chemicals or water during the disinfection process.
- Harmless on materials.
- Improve patient turnover and reduce unnecessary patient rescheduling due to probe unavailability.
In summary
Use UV-C disinfection to sterilize your TEE probes and to reduce the risk of transmitting disease-causing organisms in your health facility. With the UV Smart D60, you can disinfect your TEE probes in less than a minute. Not only is the D60 effective against various disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It is also easy to use, saves you time, energy, and is cost-efficient.
Interested in the benefits the UV Smart D60 could bring for your own healthcare organization? Request a free demonstration or come in contact with one of our experts by filling out the following form.
.jpg)
