Table 2

Surface bioburden after disinfection expressed as mean cfu per ampoule or vial

Plastic ampoulesGlass ampoulesInjection vialsInfusion vials
Mean cfuSDMean cfuSDMean cfuSDMean cfuSD
Total immersion1.60
(n=10)		2.910.70
(n=10)		0.956.20
(n=10)		6.448.80
(n=10)		11.35
Contact plate0.03
(n=40)		0.160.20
(n=30)		0.410.13
(n=30)		0.430.07
(n=29)		0.26
Recovery (%)1.9–28.6–2.1–*–

  • Recovery is the number of cfu found on contact plate as a percentage of the number at total immersion.

  • *Recovery is not determined because of the small part of the surface which is monitored by a contact plate (see methods).

  • n, number of samples examined.