Elimination of Bacterial Contamination Following Chemical Treatment of Medical Waste using the Transposal Ultra Fluid Collection Disposal System

Background:

Enormous expenses are incurred to dispose of potentially infectious liquid waste from surgical wards. A fluid collection and disposal system that renders medical liquid waste noninfectious by chemical treatment would both greatly reduce these costs and reduce the risk of releasing infectious material into the environment.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of a specific chemical treatment of liquid medical waste.

Methods:

Canisters from a commercially available chemical disposal unit were labeled and inoculation areas marked. At 72 hours post-chemical treatment, canisters were tested for the natural presence of indicator bacteria (“pre-contamination” conditions). Each canister was then specifically inoculated with two bacterial indicator strains (non-pathogenic E. coli strain DH5α and Staphylococcus aureus strain Rosenbach). One canister was then chemically treated while the second acted as the control. Both canisters were then sampled for bacterial growth at 1-hour and 72-hours post-treatment (“post-contamination” conditions).

Results:

Our findings indicate the chemical treatment cycle of the fluid collection and disposal system is sufficient to destroy bacteria present within the canister when purposefully contaminated in a controlled setting (p < .05). E. coli DH5α and S. aureus Rosenbach indicator organisms were unable to survive within the canisters after a single exposure to chemical treatment. At 72 hours post-chemical treatment, no viable E. coli or S. aureus were detected in the cylinder. Control experiments demonstrated that in the absence of the disinfectant cycle, both E. coli DH5α and S. aureus Rosenbach were able to survive, adhere, and multiply within the cylinder up to 72 hours post-inoculation.

Conclusions:

These experiments demonstrate that chemical treatment of liquid medical waste using a fluid collection and disposal system is an effective treatment technology to rid waste fluids of potential bacterial contaminants.