Relative efficacy and activity of medical instrument cleaning agents

Abstract

The cleaning efficacy and active enzyme levels of 18 commercially-available instrument cleaning agents have been compared. Three quantitative cleaning tests, using a Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm and an artificial substrate based on the Edinburgh Soil formulation, were used to compare cleaning efficacy. Relative protease and amylase activity levels in each sample were also compared quantitatively using chromogenic substrates. The test results revealed clear differences between the cleaning agents. With the objective of providing useful information to those responsible for the effective cleaning of medical instruments, an overall efficacy ranking was assigned to each product. This is the initial study in a series designed to develop protocols for the objective assessment of the effectiveness of instrument cleaning agents.