Disinfection of endoscopes: Review of new chemical sterilants used for high-level disinfection

Chemical sterilants are used to high-level disinfect heat-sensitive semicri tical items such as endoscopes. Most endoscopes have been reprocessed betwe en each patient use with glutaraldehyde (>2%) or the Steris System 1. Sever al new chemical sterilants have been developed recently, including 7.5% hyd rogen peroxide, 0.08% peracetic acid plus 1.0% hydrogen peroxide, and 0.55% orthophthalaldehyde. In order to aid the infection control professional in choosing the appropriate disinfection methodology, this article reviews th e characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of high-level disinfectant s intended for reprocessing endoscopes.