Alkaline Detergent Combined with a Routine Ward Bedpan Washer Disinfector Cycle Eradicates Clostridium Difficile Spores from the Surface of Plastic Bedpans

The cleaning efficiency of a ward bedpan washer disinfector was evaluated using various cycle parameters and detergent to determine which conditions could effectively eliminate Clostridium difficile spores from the surface of bedpans. Results revealed that the regular intensive cycle with thermal conditions of 85°C for 60 seconds plus the addition of an alkaline detergent was sufficient to eradicate C difficile spores. However, these thermal conditions alone, without detergent, were not adequate.