OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cleaning effectiveness of lung simulators undergoing centralized cleaning and disinfection in the central sterile supply department (CSSD).

METHODS A total of 100 sets of lung simulators from the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital between May 2022 and May 2023 were divided into a control group and an experimental group (50 sets each).The control group underwent routine disinfection in the intensive care unit (ICU), while the experimental group received high-level disinfection in the CSSD.Visual inspection, ATP bioluminescence assay, and bacteriological testing were conducted to assess the cleaning and disinfection effectiveness on the surfaces, connectors, and bellows′ folds of the lung simulators in both groups.

RESULTS For surfaces, connectors and bellows′ folds, visual inspection showed qualification rates of 92.00%, 84.00% and 44.00% in the control group, and 100.00%, 100.00% and 96.00% in the experimental group; bacteriological testing revealed qualification rates of 86.00%, 40.00% and 0 in the control group, and 100.00%, 100.00% and 94.00% in the experimental group; and ATP bioluminescence assay indicated qualification rates of 86.00%, 84.00% and 80.00% in the control group, and 100.00%, 100.00% and 96.00% in the experimental group.The experimental group demonstrated superior cleaning and disinfection effectiveness compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION Centralized cleaning and disinfection of lung simulators in the CSSD outperforms manual processing in the ICU, which ensure higher quality and effectively reduce the risk of hospital-acquired cross-infections.