Introduction:

non-invasive mechanical ventilation masks are non-reusable supplies in high demand in respiratory therapy services. Determining whether they can be successfully disinfected could help to optimize resources. Neutral pH electrolyzed superoxidation solutions are effective and harmless high-level disinfectants used in the hospital environment.

Objective:

to evaluate the effectiveness of an electrolyzed neutral superoxidation solution to eliminate the bacterial load of noninvasive mechanical ventilation masks and its effects on the mask material.

Material and methods:

49 masks used in patients with non-infectious diseases or pneumonia of the Respiratory Therapy Service of the Ismael Cosío Villegas National Institute of Respiratory Diseases were randomly distributed into the experimental group of electrolyzed solutions of neutral pH superoxidation (n = 22) and the orthophthalaldehyde control group (n = 27). Bacteriological sampling was performed before and after disinfection and the bacterial load was characterized in five of each group. Disinfection was by immersion in electrolyzed solutions of neutral pH 0.004% superoxidation, for five minutes or for 45 minutes in orthophthalalaldehyde. New masks subjected to three disinfection cycles were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.

Results:

disinfection with neutral pH electrolyzed superoxidation solutions eliminated 100% of the bacterial load. The neutral pH electrolyzed superoxidation solution was effective against the nosocomial opportunistic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium striatum, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes and Enterococcus faecalis from the masks. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that three disinfection cycles did not generate structural damage to the material.

Conclusion:

the disinfection method with neutral pH electrolyzed superoxidation solutions was effective in eliminating the bacterial load without causing damage to the mask material.