Assessing the stability and sporicidal efficacy of oxidising disinfectants.

The role of the healthcare environment in the transmission of clinical pathogens is well established. We investigated the chemical stability and sporicidal efficacy of oxidising disinfectant products in the presence of simulated clean and medical dirty conditions. Performance of chlorine-releasing agents (sodium dichloroisocyanurate, chlorine dioxide and hypochlorous acid) was concentration-dependent, with 1000 ppm chlorine showing reduced stability and efficacy in dirty conditions. In contrast peracetic acid product demonstrated stability and consistently achieved efficacy in dirty conditions. These results have implications for clinical practice, as ineffective environmental decontamination may increase the risk of transmission of pathogens that can cause healthcare-associated infections.