Factors associated with cleaning quality of reusable medical devices at a single center in China.

BACKGROUND

Improper cleaning is one of the main causes of sub-optimal levels of sterilization, and also a risk factor in terms of nosocomial infections. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with the cleaning quality of the reusable medical devices and prescribe improvement measures for ensuring the safe use of the devices and for iatrogenic infection control.

METHODS

An expert consultation was conducted to identify the factors associated with the cleaning quality of reusable medical devices. A self-designed quality inspection form for reusable medical device cleaning was used to collect the data concerning the factors associated with the cleaning quality of the reusable medical devices cleaned at our hospital's central sterile supply department (CSSD) during January to June 2022. We also investigated the cleaning personnel's perceptions and knowledge of medical devices cleaning by means of a self-designed questionnaire.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences ( < 0.05) were identified among incorrect cleaning procedures, improper cleaning methods, non-standard pre-treatment, wrong perceptions or lack of knowledge of medical device cleaning, and complex device structure. Correct cleaning procedures (odds ratio (OR) = 0.216, 95 % confidential interval (CI): 0.170-0.275), choice of cleaning method (ultrasonic cleaning OR = 3.995, 95 % CI: 2.937-5.434; spray cleaning OR = 0.893, 95 % CI: 0.735-1.085), standard pre-treatment (OR = 1.470, 95 % CI: 1.191-1.815), complex device structure (OR = 1.534, 95 % CI: 1.247-1.888) and cleaning personnel's correct perceptions of medical device cleaning (OR = 0.530, 95 % CI: 0.436-0.645) were the independent factors associated with the cleaning quality.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of reusable medical device cleaning should be improved by: adherence to standard cleaning procedures, choosing the correct cleaning method and pre-treatment, improving cleaning personnel's knowledge and perceptions of medical device cleaning, and disassembling the medical devices with complex structures so as to reduce the quality defects of medical device cleaning.