Clinical Evaluation: Cleaning Capability of a New Product
Excerpt from: Summary of Current Dental Surface Disinfection Protocols and a Review of the New 1-Minute Surface Disinfectants CaviCide1 and CaviWipes1
Soils and bioburden can prevent effective surface disinfection. The soils encountered in dental and medical applications, such as blood and mucus, tend to have high concentrations of proteins and fats, which can interfere with the surface disinfectant liquids by preventing contact with the surfaces that require disinfection. The disinfecting liquid may be blocked by the soil from wetting the surface, protecting the microorganisms from inactivation, and the soil itself may harbor pathogens. The primary task of surface disinfectants is to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces. A well-designed surface disinfectant product should solubilize (clean) the soil prior to wiping, and not promote soil binding to the surface. Presaturated wipes are a popular alternative to spray liquids because they are a superior way of decreasing microbial bioburden on surfaces when used properly, and reduce aerosolization of chemicals and excess pooling of liquids.1
In response to the expressed need for a reliable disinfectant with the combined qualities of rapid TB effectiveness, and excellent cleaning ability, recent review of CaviCide and CaviWipes were completed. The active ingredients in CaviCide and CaviWipes are quaternary ammonium and low levels of alcohol. CaviCide1 and CaviWipes1 have slightly higher alcohol content and a 1-minute TB contact time. Products with a moderate- to high-alcohol content have previously been shown to demonstrate poor cleaning capabilities compared with low-alcohol disinfectants due to alcohol’s tendency to precipitate proteins on surfaces.2 CaviCide1 and CaviWipes1 were evaluated for cleaning effectiveness.
In addition to being EPA-approved intermediate-level disinfectants, CaviCide1/CaviWipes1 have indications for disinfection of noncritical medical devices and are also regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices. CaviCide1/CaviWipes1 can be used to clean semi-critical or critical medical devices prior to appropriate high-level disinfection or sterilization.
Conclusion of CaviCide1/CaviWipes1 studies
CaviCide1 and Caviwipes1 are effective cleaners in the presence of organic matter such as blood and sputum. These products may be used for cleaning as well as disinfection without the need to select a separate pre-cleaning product. The contact time for disinfection is 1 minute, which matches the clinical needs of dental workers. The demonstration test indicates that on essentially clean surfaces that are not contaminated with gross debris or materials, CaviCide1 and Caviwipes1 can be expected to achieve reliable disinfection in one step. However, following CDC-recommended best practices, and providing the highest margin of safety and reliability, CaviCide1 and Caviwipes1 should be used in the recommended protocol of two steps: cleaning step followed by a disinfecting step.
Overview of Compatibility Testing
CaviCide1 solution was tested and found to be compatible with the most materials found in the dental setting, including acrylic, PVC, epoxy countertops, brass, glass cooper, silicon, stainless steel, neoprene, acrylic, polystyrene, naugahyde, and Formica. Materials were exposed to 14 days (336 hours) of continuous contact with CaviCide1 with little (slight darkening, lightening or spotting on four of the 19 materials tested) or no effect.
CaviWipes1 Evaluation Results Discussion
Tests demonstrated that the both CaviCide1 and CaviWipes1 clean efficiently and effectively in the presence of organic soil. This finding allows the products to be utilized effectively as both a cleaner and a quick acting disinfectant. Pre-cleaning with a separate product is not necessary. The one-minute contact time eliminates the need to spend time extra time between patients waiting for the disinfection process to occur. These products were found to be compatible with most materials that make up the surfaces that must be disinfected in dentistry.
Conclusion
Disinfection of contaminated environmental surfaces and objects in all healthcare settings is an ongoing challenge and important aspect of infection prevention and patient safety. Environmental asepsis, including the cleaning and disinfection is a vital component of clinical safety against a growing list of infectious diseases. The risk of exposure to pathogens, including resistant organisms such as MRSA, in dental settings is proven. Dental workers must understand and follow product use-directions to prevent clinical infections. Optimal features of a surface disinfectant include rapid effectiveness against TB along with excellent cleaning capability while not harming office materials. Two new products, CaviCide1 and CaviWipes1 have a rapid (1 minute) TB contact time. They were evaluated for cleaning ability and compatibility with environmental surfaces and found to demonstrate excellent cleaning ability and material compatibility.
©Kerr TotalCare 2012. All Rights Reserved. CaviCide1, CaviWipes1 and Kerr TotalCare are trademarks of Metrex Research, LLC
References
1. www.cardiff.ac.uk, accessed 12/09/11.
2. Prior F, Fernie K, Renfrew A, et al . Alcoholic fixation of blood to surgical instruments-a possible factor in the surgical transmission of CJD? J Hosp Infect. 2004;58(1):78-80.
Disclaimer
The preceding material was provided by the manufacturer. The statements and opinions contained therein are solely those of the manufacturer and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Assisting.
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