Abstract
Context: The disinfection of healthcare facilities is of utmost importance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. In this regard, biocidal activity testing is used to evaluate the efficacy of disinfectants in hospitals. Aim: Establishing a disinfectant efficacy test aimed at combating infections and cross-contamination. Settings and Design: The experiment was carried out in two treatment groups for each of the four microorganisms on ten surface coupons, with a viability control group determined as the baseline inoculum. Methods and Materials: The study used two disinfectants—hydroxyethane (ethylene hydrate) and 2-hydroxypropane (sec-propyl alcohol)—to evaluate their efficacy in reducing bacterial contamination on inanimate surfaces. Statistical analysis used: The data obtained was analyzed using Minitab software, which involved a normal probability plot, a homogeneity of variances test, and a test for equal variances. The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.05. Results: The normal probability plot of microorganism-disinfectant groups with a 95% confidence interval showed improvement in normalization after the logarithmic transformation of datasets. The homogeneity of variances test did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the groups, and all the comparison intervals overlapped for the logarithmically transformed datasets in contrast to the raw datasets. The bacterial reduction after exposure to disinfectants for five minutes compared with the control group in the surface challenge biocidal test expressed as absolute and logarithmic reduction showed a significant reduction in bacterial growth, with Burkholderia cepacia showing greater persistence on the examined sample of the surfaces. Conclusions: The current study showed that the effect of the microorganism tolerance contributed to the variation in responses rather than the disinfectant or the surface types, suggesting the risk of resistant bacteria on the contaminated surface in the dissemination of infections. Thus, monitoring and routine disinfection validation programs for the control of microbial burden in healthcare are crucial for infection and contamination mitigation