Acetic Acid Versus Chlorine Tablet Solution as Disinfectant of Non-Critical Environmental Surfaces
https://doi.org/10.56964/pidspj20212202012
- Author:
Abegail Sales Basco
1
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics National Childrens Hospital
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Chlorine Tablet
- MeSH:
Acetic Acid;
Disinfectants;
Cross Infection;
Bacteria
- From:
Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines Journal
2021;22(2):93-99
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:This study aims to determine the bactericidal activity of 4% acetic acid versus chlorine tablets against gram negative and gram-positive microorganisms based on percentage reduction of microorganisms in hospital surfaces and suggest that it may be an effective alternative disinfectant.
Methodology:This was an experimental study where microbiological sampling of hospital surfaces was used to determine bacterial growth. The study was conducted from November to December 2020 at National Children’s Hospital, a 200 bed capacity tertiary government hospital catering to children 0 to less than 19 years old. Non-critical hospital surfaces such as beds, bed rails and bedside tables were swabbed before and after intervention cleaning with chlorine tablets or 4% acetic acid solution.
Result:Pre-swabbing, hospital surfaces showed the presence of Bacillus sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae and Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CONS). Post-application of 4% acetic acid solution resulted to 100% reduction of Bacillus sp., 70.8% reduction of CONS, and 19.5% reduction of Klebsiella pneumoniae while post-application of chlorine tablet solution showed 100% reduction of Klebsiella pneumoniae and CONS and 95.2% reduction of Bacillus species.
Conclusion:The use of 4% acetic acid solution significantly reduced more gram-positive than gram-negative organisms and is a highly effective disinfectant against Bacillus sp. but is not effective against gram-negative organisms as it does not fulfil the criteria of at least 90 percent reduction in bacterial growth. Chlorine tablet solution is a more effective disinfectant against gram-negative organisms than gram-positive organisms. Acetic acid 4% solution is not an effective alternative disinfectant to chlorine tablet solution, the currently used hospital disinfectant, but maybe used as an adjunct for better reduction of hospital environmental pathogens.
- Full text:012_vol-22-no-2_BASCO_ACETIC-ACID.pdf
