Reprocess TEE Probes with Confidence

TD 100® Automated TEE Probe Disinfector with Single - use TD-5® and TD-8® disinfectants

The TD 100 Automated TEE Probe Disinfector when used with TD-5 or TD-8 high-level disinfectant has an industry­ leading, proven track record of compliance. The TD 100 has been used by healthcare professionals for over 12 years with absolutely zero reportable incidents to the FDA. Confidence can be assured with the TD 100 of your compliance to standards and guidelines for the reprocessing of TEE probes.

The TD 100 was designed to comply with all recommendations and guidance available for proper reprocessing of TEE probes by manufacturers, industry experts, and occupational health and safety regulations. The TD 100 gives clear and easy prompts to walk the end user through proper operation and ensure a successful high-level disinfection of a dirty TEE probe. Unlike manual soaking and other devices designed for similar purposes, the TD 100 removes several human interactions that can potentially lead to a TEE probe not being properly high-level disinfected or occupational exposure to high-level disinfectants and neutralizers.

By using a high-level disinfectant that is single-use, the healthcare professional is not required to use chemical indicator test strips. Thus, TD-5 and TD-8 require no MRC (Minimum Required Concentration) validation. The CS Medical 500 ml container of disinfectant eliminates the need for end user confirmation of the test strip as well as the subjective reading of the test strip. Chemical test strips can be very problematic and costly. When reviewing reusable chemistries, you must take into account the cost and shelf life of the test strips. These test strips are not universal to all chemistries used in reprocessing suites; they are specific to the proprietary formulation of the manufacturer. The use of chemical test strips to validate MRC is an area where risk should be reviewed and a determination of best practices through staff training and employee testing should be incorporated.

The TD 100 achieves high-level disinfection of a TEE probe in 5 minutes. As with any device, the residue of the disinfectant must be properly removed so as to prevent staff or patient contact. Some disinfectants, if not properly rinsed from the probe, can lead to a chemical staining of the skin or esophagus known as "black mouth". This is only present with the use of OPA as the high-level disinfectant and if residue is not properly removed. Due to the TD 100's extensive rinse cycles and toxicological validation, black mouth is never an issue.

Occupational exposure is another concern that the TD 100 eliminates as it was designed to meet the ANSI/AAMI ST 58 standard. The TD 100 acts just like a ductless chemical hood as it has an independent filtration system that effectively captures and neutralizes vapors that are generated during the high-level disinfection process. The activated bonded carbon filter effectively removes Glutaraldehyde or OPA vapors while the overall design of the TD 100 mitigates occupational exposure through negative pressure airflow within the disinfectant's reservoir.

How does the TD 100 provide high-level disinfection in only 5 minutes? The TD 100 microprocessor controller drives internal components that heat up and circulate the disinfectant solution within the TD 100. By adding heat and maintaining constant flow of the disinfectant, the TEE probe is in contact with the chemical, at the correct temperature, for only 5 minutes. The TD 100 ensures both contact time and temperature as these elements are critical in achieving high-level disinfection. If either of these elements are missing, then the TD 100 reports an error and states that the TEE probe has not been properly high-level disinfected.

The problem with other systems is that the high-level disinfectant is placed on a hot plate and allowed to stagnate when not in use. Additionally, these systems pump the stagnant disinfectant into the disinfection reservoir and allow it to sit and cool during the soaking phase of the process. A point of concern, since the solution is not circulated, is whether the entire volume of the container has achieved an equal temperature or if one might find warmer or cooler portions of the liquid disinfectant. Once the solution has been pumped into the soaking tubes, a thermal decrease of the disinfection solution must be present. Another factor to the solution being held stagnant is the environment in which the device is operating. Areas within the healthcare facility that operate at 65-72°F are more likely to cool the disinfectant more quickly than areas that operate in the 70-76°F range. Many reusable high-level disinfectants have a minimum contact temperature that ranges between 20-55°( (60-131°F), as stated on the label's indication for use. The proper contact time, at the proper contact temperature can range all the way from 5 to 45 minutes. Contact time and contact temperature are the two most critical factors to successful high-level disinfecting, regardless of the probe or instrument being reprocessed. A chemical test strip does not determine if the disinfectant is at the correct temperature, it only tells you if the potency of the solution is above the manufacturer's MRC established at the time of FDA clearance. Reliance on a test strip cannot be the sole method to ensure chemical efficacy; temperature is of vital importance in this process. All these risky variables are eliminated when reprocessing TEE probes with the TD 100.

Single-use disinfectants also play a major role in mitigating the risk of HAIs (Healthcare Acquired Infections) when compared to reusable disinfectants. Depending on the TEE probe's level of bedside cleaning, pre-cleaning, and the patient's medical condition, the gallon of reusable high-level disinfectant could become an incubator. It is widely published that reusable disinfectants are susceptible, as concentration weakens, to the potential of bacterial spores being viable and that the closed, warm environment present in the container fosters a potential hazard to the next probe to be reprocessed.

Contamination, or bioburden, is present in each reuse study and results indicate that the claim of 150 cycles of reuse in a 14 day period is simply misleading. A study conducted by Norman Bruckner, PhD, regarding Metricide® OPA Plus and Cidex® OPA solutions show that, under ideal and controlled conditions, the maximum reuse life of either chemical is far less than in previous claims. Additionally, the overall useful life is well shorter than the 14 days stated on the manufacturers' labels1. It is worth noting that three main factors affect the gradual reduction of the effectiveness of reusable high-level disinfectants. The decreased concentration is directly linked to the overall burden of microbes and organic matter. Depending on how well and when bedside cleaning and pre-cleaning are accomplished directly impacts how much burden is left on the TEE probe. A wet TEE probe is another factor as it adds to the overall volume of solution that, in turn, dilutes the disinfectant. If the TEE probe is not dried prior to insertion into the chemical or soaking tube, then the concentration is compromised. Finally, as the solution ages, it becomes more susceptible to bacterial spore growth. Solutions that are kept under constant heated temperatures are likely to age more rapidly than those allowed to elevate temperature on demand to perform the high-level disinfection process. For these reasons, CS Medical's single-use high-level disinfectants provide healthcare professionals with an effective strategy to reduce the potential of HAIs as it relates to the disinfection of TEE ultrasound probes.

A major concern to employee safety is exposure to high-level disinfectants. In the TD 100, this exposure is eliminated. The high-level disinfectant container is opened inside the TD 100 under negative airflow that is filtered before release into the reprocessing suite. The container of TD-5 or TD-8, is completely rinsed free of any chemical residue and, at the conclusion of the disinfection and rinse cycle, can be removed and thrown away as general waste with no special disposal requirement. This is very different from the requirements by some automated devices that incorporate reuse chemistry in their designs. The healthcare end user is required to remove the bottle from the device, remove the fluid system, and then add a neutralization formula to the container prior to disposal. Furthermore, the new gallon of high-level disinfectant is placed beside the old bottle and the fluid system is placed from the expired high-level disinfectant bottle into the new high-level disinfectant bottle . This presents two elements of risk. The first risk is exposure of the healthcare end user to the disinfectant. This risk will vary depending on the type of disinfectant and the temperature of the disinfectant. If the disinfectant is an aldehyde-based chemical, the neutralization agent can cause significant foaming and result in the bottle overflowing, an added safety concern. The second risk is dilution of the fresh disinfectant by the expired disinfectant. This is a risk, regardless of how much or how little is allowed to transfer from the fluid system. Reduced concentration is directly linked to dilution and bioburden challenge. You are starting the entire process at a disadvantage in this scenario.

The TD 100 helps promote a scientific and orderly workflow within the reprocessing suite. As TEE probes arrive in the area, they must go through an evidence­ based step by step method of cleaning, rinsing, electrical leakage testing, high-level disinfection, and drying before reuse. Most reprocessing suites for TEE probes are smaller and have less room than those designed for endoscope and other surgical instrument reprocessing. Many healthcare facilities prefer to have the reprocessing suite near the point of use for TEE probes due to the high cost of and delicate nature of the TEE probe. A single probe enters the reprocessing suite and should be placed in the "dirty" area of the suite so as to allow for manufacturer IFUs to be followed for cleaning. Once these IFUs are met, then the probe should be electrical leakage tested. The TD 100 allows for this step to be performed prior to high-­level disinfection inside the disinfection reservoir.

When using devices similar to the TD 100, an electrical lead is placed inside the reservoir and the test is conducted, but if two probes are in the same reservoir, then the result would not be conclusive. If two probes have individual reservoirs, then dual testers would be required to perform the evaluation. Additional time would be spent to conduct testing individually if duplicate testers are not present. If conducted individually, with the same electrical lead, then exposure to high-level disinfectant could be an issue when the probe is removed. The type of conductive solution used would need to be considered and properly removed prior to high-level disinfection. Alternatively, an electrical leakage test could be conducted within a tub or basin outside the automated device, requiring additional space, added steps, and greater expense. If this was the practice, it could lead to another point of potential high-level disinfectant dilution since the probe must be rinsed free of the solution and dried again prior to high-level disinfection. The TD 100 offers the best risk solution since it does not add water to the disinfectant solution, is done within the workflow, and provides for each probe to obtain either a pass or fail result. Exposure to the conductive liquid and high-level disinfectant is managed by the TD 100 and its' advanced vapor management filtration system.

Occupational exposure is a focal point in healthcare since it is the facility's responsibility to keep individuals healthy. The TD 100, unlike other automated devices, utilizes a bonded carbon filter that not only adsorbs vapors, but neutralizes them. The filter is a solid block of activated coconut shell carbon with a weight over 15 pounds. The design and bed depth of the carbon filter ensures successful capture of vapors and a long life. Similar devices utilize a blown carbon pellet type of filter that has poor performance when compared to that of the TD 100's vapor management filter. Evaluation of vapor exposure risk to any high-level disinfectant should be taken into account prior to use . A well-engineered solution is one that ensures occupational safety from the vapors generated during the disinfection process and provides a reasonably long life before replacement.

The TD 100, as incorporated in the TEE Complete Care® suite of products, provides a systematic approach for the reprocessing of TEE probes. At the point of use, immediately after removal from the patient, the TEE probe should be treated with an enzymatic solution. This enzymatic treatment begins the breakdown of bioburden and reduces the potential for biofilm to form. TEEZyme® Sponge is an individually packaged, pre-saturated enzymatic applicator that allows the healthcare professional to effectively apply the enzymatic cleaner and add mechanical scrubbing action to remove bioburden and any foreign materials from the TEE probe's insertion shaft.

Once a properly cleaned TEE probe is inserted into the TD 100 and the disinfection cycle begins, the healthcare professional can begin the process of following the TEE probe manufacturer's IFU for cleaning the next probe. This process, when done per the probe manufacturer's IFU, should take about as long as the TD 100 will take to disinfect and rinse the prior TEE probe. Having probes waiting to be cleaned is not a recommended practice as it allows liquids to dry on the probe, resulting in the cleaning being more labored and a higher potential for end user error. A well designed workflow will ensure fast, accurate turnaround time for TEE probe reprocessing suites and improve quality of care to the probe as well as reduce the potential for HAIs.

The TD 100 and TEE Complete Care suite of products offer real risk mitigation for the reprocessing of TEE probes in today's healthcare setting. A TD 100 can give you confidence as you reprocess TEE probes and can ensure the reduction of HAIs in your facility.

References

  1. (1) Bruckner, N., Ph . D. "Comparison of Metricide OPA Plus'M Solution and Cide x" OPA Solution Use Properties:, Oct. 2007, online at http://www.endochoice.com/site/PDF%20OPA%20Plus%White%20Paper.pdf

The use of tradenames, trademarks, and registry marks within this document does not constitute the promotion by CS Medical to these brands nor their brand of CS Medical. These marks include Metricide and Cidex . They are presented for informational purposes only and any clarification should be directed to the owner of the brand.