Contact Cryoprobe Sterilization Practices: A Patient Quality and Safety Issue for Dermatologists.

Abstract

Cryotherapy is a commonly employed treatment modality in dermatology. There is literature to suggest that sterilization of the contact cryotherapy probe is needed for proper decontamination. To determine the status on the usage and sterilization methods employed by dermatology staff and residents affiliated with an academic training centre in Ontario, Canada, with the overall goal of improving patient safety. An anonymous qualitative survey was conducted and analyzed. The survey had a response rate of 71% (n=34 of 48); 11 of 34 physicians reported using contact cryoprobes in their practice to treat viral infections, benign tumours, and malignant tumours. Out of the 11 using contact cryoprobes, 3 (27%) employed any type of cleaning method between patients. Current use of contact cryotherapy probes could be improved for safety considerations. Patient safety may be enhanced by the incorporation of routine autoclaving or other recommended decontamination methods of contact cryotherapy probes between patients.