IN‐USE TESTS OF DISINFECTANTS

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Abstract
In 2 different laboratories, 3 methods were applied for in-use testing of 400 samples of disinfectants, primarily aldehyde and phenolic solutions, collected in 30 wards at 11 Danish hospitals. The results obtained with the Kelsey-Maurer test, the membrane filtration technique and a standardized challenge test were in complete accordance; however, the challenge test revealed a few more inefficient samples than the other 2 methods. For routine use at hospital laboratories, the choice between the Kelsey-Maurer test or the modified Kelsey-Maurer technique using membrane filtration may be guided by the available equipment. The design and the application of a challenge test and pertinent criteria for test strains (bacteria and fungi) are discussed. Only .apprx. 3% of the samples failed to pass the tests, but a predominance (10%) of failures among the samples which were received as number one in a series underlines the didactic aspects of in-use testing. The study demonstrates that suitable methods exist and may be of value when introduced in the local policy of controlling disinfectants.

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