Evaluating the efficacy of reprocessing contaminated single use devices for re-use in intensive care unit in Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Single use devices (SUDs) are designed for single use. However, in low-income countries, they are often reprocessed and reused. Because these devices are intended for single use, no standardized protocol for reprocessing these devices currently exists. We developed a protocol for reprocessing SUDs in low-income settings and assessed the efficacy of this protocol in eliminating bacterial burden from a subset of used respiratory SUDs.

Methods

Reprocessing of these devices was conducted in accordance with the National IPC reference manual with minor modifications. The surfaces of used SUDs were swabbed for bacterial culture before and after reprocessing. Serial dilutions of the swab samples were inoculated on plate count agar media and incubated. Bacterial burden was

SUBMITTER: Duffa YM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12853869 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature