Microbial contamination of tracheal suction catheters, which were re-used after disinfection over 24 hours, was investigated. Of the 12 catheters examined, nine were contaminated with 103-107 colony forming units per catheters. Pseudomonas cepacia and P. fluorescens were the primary contaminants. This contamination was caused by contaminated 0.02% benzalkonium chloride or 0.05% chlorhexidine in which the catheters were soaked. The contaminants that have grown to high concentrations over 24

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... in these disinfectants allowed gross contamination of the catheters. Substitution of 0.1% benzalkonium chloride containing 8 v/v% ethanol or 0.05% chlorhexidine containing 8 v/v% ethanol eliminated the bacterial contamination of the catheters.