About
Sterilizers
In
today's world, the need for infection control has never been greater.
The patients and the health care professionals have become more
concerned about the transmission of pathogenic organism then ever
before. Controlling microbial contamination through sterilization
has long been considered the most essential component of an infection
control program. The result of proper instrument sterilization
is the protection of the patient, and the health care professional
from various infection diseases. The focus on infection control
has sharpened.
Since
infections increase the severity of illness, complicate recovery,
and prolong inpatient stays they raise the cost of care. The ever
growing expense of health care has focused providers' attention
on reducing costs. Often this means re-sterilizing and re-using
expensive plastic items that might otherwise be discarded.
Instruments
must be sterilized between usage. There are several types of sterilization
equipment. Steam sterilizers (autoclaves), dry heat sterilizers,
heated chemical vapor sterilizers, and gas sterilizers.
Dry
Heat
The
dry heat sterilizers employ higher temperatures to destroy microorganisms.
They are considered effective and safe for metal instruments because
the process does not dull instrument edges or rust/corrode the
instruments. There are two kinds of 'Dry heat sterilizers'. The
traditional 'toaster oven' style that is slow and take an hour
to sterilize at 320f (160c), or the COX Rapid Heat Sterilizer
which is using a patented forced air and baffle system technology
to sterilize in 6 minutes at 375f (190c). CDC guidelines calls
for weekly monitoring the working of the dry heat sterilizer by
doing a weekly spore test.
Steam
Sterilizer
Steam
sterilizers will allow you to sterilize a wide range of materials.
Temperature, pressure, and time are the main factors of this process.
The higher the temperature, the greater the pressure and the shorter
the sterilization cycle. Maximum temperature will rise to 273f
(133c). Steam sterilization, however, may cause unprotected instruments
to corrode and unprotected cutting edges to dull. Furthermore,
excess water in the steam can provide a portal for microorganism
to penetrate wet instrument packages. Steam sterilizers (autoclaves)
are the most popular method of sterilization and are made and
sold throughout the world. There are several steam sterilizers
sold in the USA, and many more through the rest of the world.
In the table top environment, chamber sizes ranges from 6" (15.24
cm) diameter x 14" (35.56 cm) deep, to 15" (38.1 cm) diameter
x 26" (66.04 cm) deep. CDC guidelines calls for weekly monitoring
the working of the dry heat sterilizer by doing a weekly spore
test.
Heated
Chemical Vapor Sterilizers
These
type of sterilizers also offer relatively short cycle times. Metal
instruments can be processed with minimal rust or corrosion, and
cutting edges remain sharp; however, instruments must be dried
completely before processing. The sterilizer requires a special
solution; and heat sensitive plastics may be destroyed. In addition,
the unit must be placed in a well ventilated area to diffuse the
chemical odor. CDC guidelines calls for weekly monitoring the
working of the dry heat sterilizer by doing a weekly spore test.
Not
sterilizers or sterilization methods:
Chemical
Solution
Liquid
disinfectants, such as glutaraldehyde, are widely used in health
care facilities. They have short, inexpensive disinfection cycles.
However, gIutaraldehyde can not be used for all medical materials.
Typical cycle times and concentrations only provide disinfecting,
which can fail to kill resistant microorganisms. The solutions
are highly corrosive and toxic; since they come in liquid form,
they can not be used with barrier packaging. The moment an instrument
is removed from the liquid, its sterility is compromised. Immersion
in a liquid steriliant is not recommended because sterilization
by liquid chemicals can not be monitored biologically. In addition,
instruments disinfected by liquids must be handled aseptically,
rinsed in sterile water, and dried with a sterile towel. Furthermore,
instruments immersed in liquid sterilants are not wrapped and,
therefore, must be used immediately or stored in a sterile container,
according to the American Dental Association Councils on Scientific
Affairs and on Dental Practice's "Infection Control Recommendations
for the Dental Office and the Dental Laboratory," presented at
the 1996 OSAP Scientific Forum.
Glass
Bead Sterilizers
Glass
bead sterilizer have long been employed for instruments re-used
on the same patient at a single appointment; however, they are
not suitable for terminal sterilization of instruments prior to
re-use on other patients. The reason they are not effective is
that there isn't a way to test the temperature throughout the
cycle. In fact, glass bead sterilizers are not FDA approved, and
any new machines must receive pre market approval, according to
Dr. Janie Fuller with the infection control devices branch of
the U.S. Food & drug Administration.
For
further information about infection control or other topics regarding
sterilizers, sterilization, autoclaves, please click on one of
the links below or contact us at 1-800-748-1259.
|
