J Holton1, A R Webb. 1. Department of Microbiology, University College London Medical School, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to determine and compare the microbial retention efficiency of 3 types of heat and moisture exchange (HME) filters. DESIGN: randomised prospective study. SETTING:Intensive Care Unit at the Middlesex Hospital and the microbiology laboratory of the Department of Academic Microbiology, University College London Medical School. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: An aerosol challenge to each filter using a suspension containing. S. marcescens and the bacteriophage MS2. In total 45 filters of 3 types were tested, 15 previously unused and 30 that had been used in ventilator circuits of 30 patients. The 3 types of filter generally had microbial retention efficiencies of > 99.99% for both S. marcescens and the bacteriophage MS2. CONCLUSION: The 3 types of HME filter were effective microbial filters and comparable in their microbial retention.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: to determine and compare the microbial retention efficiency of 3 types of heat and moisture exchange (HME) filters. DESIGN: randomised prospective study. SETTING: Intensive Care Unit at the Middlesex Hospital and the microbiology laboratory of the Department of Academic Microbiology, University College London Medical School. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: An aerosol challenge to each filter using a suspension containing. S. marcescens and the bacteriophage MS2. In total 45 filters of 3 types were tested, 15 previously unused and 30 that had been used in ventilator circuits of 30 patients. The 3 types of filter generally had microbial retention efficiencies of > 99.99% for both S. marcescens and the bacteriophage MS2. CONCLUSION: The 3 types of HME filter were effective microbial filters and comparable in their microbial retention.
Authors: Richard J Isaacs; Ken Debelak; Patrick R Norris; Judith M Jenkins; Jeffrey C Rooks; Todd R Young; Addison K May; Erik M Boczko Journal: Am J Transl Res Date: 2012-01-05 Impact factor: 4.060