Home Articles Downloads Forum Products Services EBME Expo Contact
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 21
JohnA Offline OP
Dreamer
OP Offline
Dreamer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 21
Hi All,

Seasons Greetings!

I've just had a meeting with the Infection Control Team within my Trust and they are now advising wards to use Tristel on medical devices.

Does anyone have any experience with using Tristel for decontamination of medical devices?

Cheers,
John

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,798
Likes: 71
Super Hero
Offline
Super Hero
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,798
Likes: 71

What, on all medical devices? Obviously, as with all chemicals, the stronger they are, the more "damage" to the equipment (or at least vulnerable parts of it) is likely to occur. Surely there is no "magic bullet", and every decontamination method has its pros and cons?

Originally Posted By: Response to an article in Labnews.co.uk
Chlorine dioxide is much less corrosive than chlorine. However, as it is an oxidising agent, it will effect metals that are easily corroded like copper or brass. Medical and laboratory equipment is usually made of high-grade stainless steel which is not affected by the levels of chlorine dioxide that can be found in the laboratory disinfectants.

Sometimes (quite often, in my opinion), hot soapy water works very well. Or, failing that, bleach. On second thoughts, perhaps it's not expensive enough!

And lastly, what happens when a "super-bug" emerges to challenge the power of Tristel products (or any other)? Although it is claimed that chlorine dioxide (a broad-spectrum biocide) has the the advantage that bacteria, fungi and viruses do not build up a natural resistance to it. How can this be? Remember what happened with the over-(mis-)use of antibiotics?

"Only Tristel has mastered its power" (that is, that of chlorine dioxide). Not another gouge I hope! frown


If you don't inspect ... don't expect.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 105
BK Offline
Savant
Offline
Savant
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 105
John,
I presume you mean tristal wipes. I would be cautous about its effect on sensative serfaces ie sensors etc.

The advice for cleaning and decontamination has always benn "as per the manufacturers instructions"

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,798
Likes: 71
Super Hero
Offline
Super Hero
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,798
Likes: 71

... yes, as advised in Section 9 of DB-2006(05):-

"Use only chemicals compatible with the device and at the correct concentration as recommended by the various manufacturers involved".

and ...

"The choice of decontamination method should be related to the degree of infection risk associated with the intended use of the equipment". smile


If you don't inspect ... don't expect.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
Hi John,

We don't use Tristel, but on the advice of our Infection Control team have been wiping Chlor Clean over everything for several months. Chemically this is different but still chlorine based, so I would guess the level of potential damage is similar! So far I've seen no surface degradation, though it does leave everything covered in unattractive smears.

Merry Christmas!

Moira

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 115
Savant
Offline
Savant
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 115
Hi,
We use Tristel wipes but only on TOE probes and only as per manufacturers recomedations.(and after much research into the subject)
We dont use them on any other device.

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 745
Philosopher
Offline
Philosopher
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 745
Our IPCT say that detergent (or detergent wipes) are suitable for day to day cleaning and decontamination of medical equipment and mattresses, only C. diff requires the use of anything more aggressive and for this the Library uses Chlor Clean (a 1000 ppm chlorine based solution).

When the Library was being set up I read many manuals on equipment the majority said that the equipment could be wiped with concentrations of chlorine varying fropm 10% down wards (most 1% or 0.1%).

Blood spillages require a soak in a stronger chlorine based solution such as Miltons (1% if I remember correctly) for two minutes.

Our cleaning staff use Tristel solution to periodical clean floors and work surfaces.

And getting back to the original question I believe Redditch use Tristel on their pressure mattresses (perhaps they would like to comment).

Lee


Don't forget "we've never had it so good".

Moderated by  DaveC in Oz, RoJo 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 5,648 guests, and 29 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Chris 11, j9_PLC, nece, Vitya, Shenzhen007
10,358 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums26
Topics11,249
Posts74,482
Members10,358
Most Online59,530
Apr 30th, 2026
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5