Abstract

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The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of disinfectants by in-use testing and to identify bacterial isolates contaminating disinfectants in different hospitals. Ninety two samples of disinfectants comprising Purit, Izal, Bleach, Spirit and Dettol being used in twenty hospitals in Kogi State were analyzed for efficacy between July and December 2011 by in-use technique. Samples of disinfectant were taken from floor-mop bucket, cleansing buckets, discard jars, disinfectant solution in which instruments, crockery, bed pans, etc., have been rinsed, and closed containers of diluted disinfectants ready for use. Viable counts of bacteria in these in-use samples were determined by cultures. Out of 92 samples of disinfectants in use tested, 47(51.1%) failed the in-use test. Various types of bacterial isolates were identified. Pseudoinonti> aeruginosa (36.2%) was the most frequently isolated organism. Purit had 20% failure rate when duration in-use was 7days, Bleach 33% failure rate, Izal 25% failure rate, Dettol 0%, Spirit 16% failure rate all for the same 7days. Other organisms isolated include coagulase Negative staphylococcus (29.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (19.1%) and Proteus spp (14.1%). Disinfectants should be prepared strictly by the manufacturer's instructions and should not exceed 7 days of exposure while in use

Keywords: Disinfectants efficacy, in-use technique, nosocomial infections.