thermosept® PAA is a two component disinfection system specifically designed for use in Automated Endoscope Reprocessors (AED). Combining efficacy, excellent material compatibility and short contact times, thermosept PAA offers many qualities of the ‘ideal’ chemical, high-level disinfectant defined by the British Society of Gastroenterologists. [BSG, 2016] Some of these ‘ideal’ characteristics provided by thermosept PAA include ‘a broad antimicrobial spectrum; rapid-acting, noncorrosive, and not harmful to the scope and its parts.’
Effective against bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, viruses and spores (incl. Clostridium difficile spores) thermosept PAA has a short contact time of only five minutes at 35°C – 37°C which means rapid reprocessing, saving valuable time.
The base and additive components can be combined automatically through the AER metering pump. Corrosion inhibitors form part of the additive component to help prevent long term damage to endoscopes and AER.
In a presentation to the IDSc (Institute of Decontamination Sciences) annual conference, Wolfgang Merkens examined the many benefits of a disinfectant based on peracetic acid particularly as it is one of the few powerful antimicrobial agents available for use as a sporicidal agent. [Merkens, 2019] According to Merkens, this ‘is significant as spores are resistant to several stresses, such as heat, ultra-violet light, and many disinfectants. The oxidising active peracetic acid also helps remove biofilm from endoscopes.’
For further information, please visit www.schuelke.com or email mail.uk@schuelke.com
References
BSG Guidance For Decontamination Of Equipment For Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, The Report of a Working Party of the British Society of Gastroenterology Endoscopy Committee, March 2014, Revised November 2016
Merkens W, Reprocessing flexible endoscopes, Clinical Services Journal, March 2019, p67-69
