Valid preservation period of ventilator pipe after disinfection

OBJECTIVE To explore the validity period of ventilator pipe after disinfection.METHODS After cleaning and disinfection,the re-used threaded pipes from breathing machine were randomly divided into 3 groups,and different drying methods were applied including:(A) natural drying method,(B) 95% alcohol rinse drying,(C) oven drying method.576 bacteriological tests were performed after sampling from threaded inner surface at different time points of preservation.RESULTS After disinfection and preservation for 7 d,14 d,21 d and 28 d,positive rates detected in group A were : 6.12%,24.00%,12.77% and 13.33% respectively,in group B were 6.00%,6.25%,2.50% and 4.00%,and in group C were 0%,0%,2.17% and 0%.The failure rates were:6.12%,6.00%,8.51% and 11.11% in group A,0%,0%,2.50% and 4.00 % in group B,there was no unsatisfactory sample in group C at any of the test time points.Unsatisfactory samples were all detected in wet season.CONCLUSION Natural drying method can not be used in wet season;for ventilator pipe preserved after 95% alcohol rinse drying,acceptable disinfection can be maintained for 14 days;ventilator pipe preserved after oven drying was not influenced by season,no bacterial growth within 14 days and the acceptable disinfection can be maintained for 28 days.