Comparing the efficacy of alcohol isopropyl and ethanol on the reduction of contamination of medical check-up devices in children ward and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Using alcohols have been recommended for disinfecting and prevention of infections. The present study has been carried out with the aim to determine and compare the efficacy of alcohol Isopropyl and Ethanol (alcohol Ethylic) in reducing contamination of medical check-up instruments. This semiexperimental study has been carried out to compare the influence of two types of alcohols on the medical check-up instruments of NICU and children ward. Before using instruments, their culture samples were prepared and then were disinfected by alcohol Isopropyl 70.0% and again their culture samples were taken. Thereafter, the same procedure was carried out for Ethanol 70.0% with the interval of 4 weeks. Finally, the culture results were surveyed and compared in each stage. The results of cultures before disinfecting the instruments showed the existence of micro-organisms like Staphylococcus, Escherichia-Coli (E-Coli), Pseudomonas and Interobacterococci. Also, the results of cultures of instruments which were disinfected by Ethanol showed the existence of two types of positive micro-organisms (Staphylococcus and E-Coli) while these results were negative after using alcohol Isopropyl. Using some of antiseptics at intensive and other wards of hospitals can be considered from the view points of economic, rapid efficacy, non-requirement of long time or requiring specific conditions so as to be successful in controlling the nosocomial infections.