What is the appropriate method for sterilizing a bronchoscope after use on a patient with tuberculosis?

• A. Sonacide (acid gluteraldehyde) for 20 minutes
• B. Irradiation followed by ethylene oxide (ETO)
• C. Steam autoclave
• D. Cidex (alkaline gluteraldehyde) for 10 hours

Answer: (D)

The appropriate method for sterilizing a bronchoscope after use on a patient with tuberculosis is to use Cidex, which contains alkaline gluteraldehyde, for a minimum of 10 hours. This option is effective because alkaline gluteraldehyde is a high-level disinfectant that is capable of killing mycobacteria, including the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.

The 10-hour immersion time ensures that the bronchoscope is thoroughly disinfected, achieving the necessary level of microbial kill to eliminate any potentially infectious materials that may be present after patient use. This is particularly important in the context of tuberculosis, as it is a highly contagious disease that requires stringent infection control measures.

Other methods, while they may provide disinfection or sterilization, do not meet the requirements for high-level disinfection needed in this scenario. For example, acid gluteraldehyde, while effective in many uses, is often not the recommended choice for high-level disinfection of such critical medical equipment, especially within a limited exposure time. Steam autoclaving is not appropriate for heat-sensitive equipment like a bronchoscope, and although irradiation and ethylene oxide are methods of sterilization, they are not as commonly used or practical for immediate disinfection in clinical settings. Thus