Bacteriological validation of a new apparatus for disinfection of hospital waste at the point of disposal. 
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.  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.  Finally, bactericidal effect in extreme conditions (association of high contamination and high bacterial protection conditions) was tested with normal fecal flora.  Bacterial counts were performed after treatment by the apparatus and without treatment (controls).  All tests were carried out in triplicate.  In all treated carriers, a bacterial population decrease of at least 5 log10 was obtained.  Assays performed in hospital-use conditions did not show any bacterial growth.  Concerning the evaluation of sporicidal effect and spore revival during conservation, a minimum reduction of 5 log10 was observed in all assays performed, without survival.  Finally, concerning assays in extreme conditions, the decrease of bacterial population was between 5 log10 and 10 log10 for vegetative anaerobes of normal fecal flora.  Under our study conditions, the study apparatus reduced the tested microbial populations by a minimal factor of 5 log10.  The main advantage of the apparatus is the opportunity to treat contaminated waste inside hospital wards, at the point of initial collection, without pulverization, by nonspecialized staff.