What is a common high-level disinfectant used in healthcare settings?

Glutaraldehyde is a common high-level disinfectant used in healthcare settings primarily due to its effectiveness against a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is especially valuable in the disinfection of heat-sensitive medical instruments and equipment that cannot be sterilized using traditional methods like autoclaving.

Glutaraldehyde works by denaturing proteins and disrupting the function of microorganisms, which is critical for achieving high-level disinfection. Typically, it is used in a 2% to 3% solution and requires a certain contact time to ensure efficacy. Its use is regulated, and proper safety measures must be taken due to its potential toxic effects on humans and the environment.

In contrast, while alcohol can act as a disinfectant, it is generally classified as a low- to intermediate-level disinfectant and may not be sufficient for high-level disinfection. Chlorine is primarily used for surface disinfection in lower risk scenarios and may not be suitable for all types of medical instruments. Hydrogen peroxide is effective and can be used for high-level disinfection; however, glutaraldehyde is still more widely recognized and employed for this purpose in many healthcare settings.

Thus, glutaraldehyde’s broad-spectrum efficacy and suitability for