Using vaporized hydrogen peroxide for anhydrous disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscopes

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Current disinfection methods for gastrointestinal endoscopes consume a significant amount of water resources and produce a large volume of waste.

AIM

To achieve the objectives of efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness, this study utilized vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) generated from sodium percarbonate granules to conduct an anhydrous disinfection test on gastrointestinal endoscopes.

METHODS

The experimental device rapidly converts sodium percarbonate granules into VHP, and performs disinfection experiments on gastrointestinal endoscope models, disposable endoscopes, and various types of reusable gastrointestinal endoscopes. Variables such as the intraluminal flow rate (FR), relative humidity (RH), exposure dosage, and organic burden are used to explore the factors influencing the disinfection of long and narrow lumens with VHP.

RESULTS

The device generates a certain concentration of VHP that can achieve high-level disinfection of endoscope models within 30 minutes. RH, exposure dosage, and organic burden significantly affect the disinfection efficacy of VHP, whereas the intraluminal FR does not significantly impact disinfection efficacy. All ten artificially contaminated disposable endoscopes achieved satisfactory disinfection results. Furthermore, when this device was used to treat various types of reusable endoscopes, the disinfection and sterilization effects were not significantly different from those of automatic endoscope disinfection machines (using peracetic acid disinfectant solution) (P > 0.05), and the economic cost of disinfectant required per endoscope was lower (1.5 China Yuan), with a shorter disinfection time (30 minutes).

CONCLUSION

The methods and results of this study provide a basis for further research on the use of VHP for the disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscopes, as well as for the development of anhydrous disinfection technology for gastrointestinal endoscopes.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal endoscope; Vaporized hydrogen peroxide; Sodium percarbonate granules; Bacillus subtilis; Anhydrous disinfection

Core Tip: This study pioneers an anhydrous disinfection method for gastrointestinal endoscopes using vaporized hydrogen peroxide generated from sodium percarbonate granules. Demonstrating comparable efficacy to traditional liquid disinfectants, the method achieves high-level disinfection within 30 minutes while reducing water use, costs (1.5 China Yuan per cycle), and environmental impact. Key factors-humidity, exposure dosage, and organic burden-significantly influence efficacy, with no adverse effects from flow rate variations. This innovation aligns with green endoscopy goals, offering a sustainable, efficient alternative to resource-intensive reprocessing, and sets a foundation for future anhydrous sterilization technologies.