Reuse of hospital bedpans

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the results of two methods of hospital bedpan reprocessing. Methods: cross-sectional study. Hospital bedpans containing a biological material contamination simulator or organic matter were submitted to manual cleaning followed by disinfection with 70% alcohol solution or thermodisinfection. Permanence of simulated contamination was evaluated by using the fluorescence technique and presence of organic matter was verified by carrying out the protein detection test. Results: the contamination simulator was found in bedpans submitted to both processes. The seat was dirtier after manual cleaning (p=0.044) in comparison with the result obtained with thermodisinfection. Automatized decontamination led to worse results when compared to the manual procedure for the scoop and external bottom (p=0.000). The protein detection test was positive in two items after thermodisinfection. Conclusions: manual cleaning followed by rubbing with 70% alcohol solution proved more effective than automatized cleaning in the reprocessing of hospital bedpans. There are relevant issues regarding reuse of hospital bedpans.

摘要
研究目的：评估两种医院便盆再处理方法的效果。
研究方法：本研究为横断面研究（cross-sectional study）。将带有生物污染模拟物（biological material contamination simulator）或有机物的医院便盆分别采用两种方式处理：一是手工清洁后辅以70%酒精溶液消毒，二是热力消毒（thermodisinfection）。采用荧光技术（fluorescence technique）评估模拟污染物的残留情况，通过蛋白质检测试验（protein detection test）验证有机物的存在。
研究结果：两种处理方式后的便盆中均检出污染模拟物。与热力消毒组相比，手工清洁后的便盆座圈残留污染物更多（p=0.044）。在便盆勺体与外底面的清洁效果上，自动化消毒处理（automatized decontamination）的结果劣于手工清洁（p=0.000）。热力消毒后，有两项样本的蛋白质检测试验呈阳性。
研究结论：手工清洁后辅以70%酒精擦拭的便盆再处理方式，其清洁效果优于自动化清洁方式。医院便盆的复用仍存在相关值得关注的问题。