Bacteriological validation of a new apparatus for disinfection of hospital waste at the point of disposal.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of a new apparatus (Dipsys 25, Société SGN, Bagnols sur Cèze, France) to disinfect biomedical waste, including both potentially infectious agents and the normal saprophytic flora of the waste.

Methods: Disinfection was assessed using standard methods (reference strains were fixed on reference carriers according to the French AFNOR methods) and nonstandard assays. Assays in conditions of hospital use, evaluations of bacterial survival during storage, sporicidal effect, and spore survival during storage were performed in parallel.