A new reliable method for testing the performance of pre-moistened cleaning wipes against bacteria and bacterial biofilms
Greg Whiteley1,2,3, Trevor Glasbey3, Theerthankar Das21University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Ultimo, NSW, Australia2Western Sydney University, School of Medicine, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia3Whiteley Corporation, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
Introduction
The use of pre-moistened cleaning and disinfectant wipes has exploded over the past five years. The action of wiping a surface is deceptively complex and involving nine separate variables. Claims for biocidal performance of cleaning wipes are currently not subjected to a standardised, globally accepted test methodology. The only internationally published wipe testing method relies on a obsolete device which is not fit for purpose.
A reliable and validated method of testing of cleaning wipes is urgently needed.
This paper outlines wipe testing methods currently under use, and proposes a new method based on a mechanical device that control all of the variables in a single action.
Method
A scrub testing device was used to control the wipe variables. Bacterial cultures (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and were grown using both standard (sessile) cultures, wet biofilm on sample surfaces, and dry surface biofilms grown on sample surfaces. The testing used commonly available wipes to establish reliability and relative performance.
Results
The new approach produced reliable results on all wiping materials and was consistent with various bacterial approaches. Results are shown in graphical and statistical tables. Product names are dis-identified, except by broad description of type and chemical characteristics.
Discussion
Wiping a surface is one of the fundamental actions in a cleaning protocol. This research demonstrates that a standard method is available and can be used to produce reliable results for product performance, thus improving confidence amongst infection preventionists over cleaning protocols and disinfectant use.
Biography
Dr Greg Whiteley is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. He is also an Adjunct Fellow in the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University. Dr Whiteley is also the Executive Chairman of Whiteley Corporation. He is the co-chief investigator of several collaborative research grants into bacterial biofilms and their role in medical device contamination and biofilm mediated infections. HIs latest projects extends research investigations into chronic wound biofilms and separately into biofilms within the urinary tract. He is further working to improve methods for cleaning wipe performance testing.