Thorough cleaning required before disinfection and sterilization:
All other conditions remaining constant,
the larger the number of microbes, the more time a germicide needs
to destroy all of them. Spaulding illustrated this relation when he
employed identical test conditions and demonstrated that it took 30
minutes to kill 10 Bacillus atrophaeus (formerly Bacillus subtilis)
spores but 3 hours to kill 100,000
Bacillus atrophaeus spores. This reinforces the need for
scrupulous
cleaning of medical
instruments before disinfection and sterilization. Reducing the
number of microorganisms that must be inactivated through meticulous
cleaning, increases the margin of safety when the
germicide is used according to
the labeling and shortens the exposure time required to kill the
entire microbial load.
Accessibility of sterilant to microorganisms:
The location of
microorganisms also must be
considered when factors affecting the efficacy of germicides are
assessed. Medical instruments with multiple pieces must be
disassembled and equipment such as endoscopes that have crevices,
joints, and channels are more difficult to disinfect than are
flat-surface equipment because penetration of the
disinfectant of all parts of
the equipment is more difficult. Only surfaces that directly
contact the germicide will be disinfected, so there must be no air
pockets and the equipment must be completely immersed for the entire
exposure period. Manufacturers should be encouraged to produce
equipment engineered for ease of cleaning and disinfection. See the
complete recommendations on sterilizer and disinfection at www.cdc.gov
“Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare
Facilities, 2008”.
ATS, Inc. stocks sterility assurance products – see
Supplies and also our
Services.
DID YOU KNOW?
§
Autoclave Testing Service, Inc. is one of the first companies
nationwide to offer a
Mail-In sterilizer
monitoring service using biological indicators. Serving the
healthcare industry throughout the United States and Canada since
1986, we have thousands of satisfied customers.
§
We have on-line test results
allowing you to access your results at your convenience! Your
Sterilizer Test Report (STR) is posted
on-line upon completion of
culturing, offering minimum turn-around time.
§
We have 24-hour test results for Steam sterilizers!
§
We have a comprehensive Glossary of Terms related to the sterile
processing area (scroll below to view the Glossary). This is
invaluable information, assisting you with this important area of
your facility.
ATS, Inc. now stocks sterilization
pouches, sterilizer cleaners, chemical indicator products,
sterilizers (new and used), ultrasonic cleaners, water distillers,
and more! (see
Supplies).
In-Office and Mail-To-Lab Testing!
Verify the sterilization process of all steam
sterilizers which include Statim, Midmark,
Tuttnauer, Lisa, Mocom and Pelton & Crane
sterilizers.
Bowie-Dick Test
Packs should be used daily to evaluate the
performance of air-removal (vacuum) system of
dynamic pre-vacuum type sterilizers. Available
as test cards or preassembled test packs.
Internal CI’s should be used within
each pouch or package, tray, or container. Class 5
Integrators should be used in conjunction with
physical monitoring and biological indicator
testing for verifying the efficacy of a
sterilization system. (See AAMI ST79:2006)
Recordkeeping is a must for all
sterile processing departments. This ensures
accountability and allows operators to trace
errors to their source. Tips on sterilizer
maintenance and technical advice are included with
each book.
