Table - Advantages and disadvantages of currently available sterilization methods Monitoring Method Parameters Use/Advantages Disadvantages Frequency Steam Raised pressure Air detection for Heat tolerant Unsuitable for (preset by vacuum sterilizers- instruments, anhydrous oils, a) Small manufacturer) to before first labware, and powders, lensed table top increase cycle of day accessories. Linen. instruments, heat sterilizers temperature to Mechanical - each Inexpensive. Rapid. and moisture b) Gravity 1210 C (1330 C for cycle; Efficient. sensitive materials. displacement flash sterilizers) Can be used Some table top Chemical - each sterilizers Time varies with to sterilize liquids. sterilizers lack a cycle; including temperature, type drying phase. Biologic - at of material and sterilizers weekly, but whether the preferably daily, c) instrument is and with each load wrapped or not. of critical items vacuum Steam must be (Bacillus sterilizers saturated (narrow stearothermophilus lumen items may spores). require pre- humidification). Flash Flash sterilization Mechanical - each Not recommended Difficult to monitor. sterilization should be used only cycle; The efficacy of flash in an emergency. sterilization will be Chemical - each Flash sterilization impaired if all the cycle; should never be necessary Biologic - at least used for critical parameters are not once a week but items such as met properly (e.g., preferably daily. implantable time, temperature), devices. the device is contaminated with organic matter, air is trapped in or around the device, or the sterilizer or flash pack is not working properly. Sterility cannot be maintained if the device is not wrapped. Boiling Not recommended None Not recommended Unable to be monitored; unreliable Microwave Not recommended None Not recommended Unable to be ovens monitored. Unreliable Glass bead Not recommended None Not recommended Unable to be sterilizers monitored. Cold spots. Inconsistent heating. Trapped air.
Table - Advantages and disadvantages of currently available sterilization methods Method Parameters Monitoring Frequency Use/Advantages Disadvantages Steam a) Small table top sterilizers b) Gravity displacement sterilizers including sterilizers c) vacuum sterilizers Raised pressure (preset by manufacturer) to increase temperature to 1210 C (1330 C for flash sterilizers) Time varies with temperature, type of material and whether the instrument is wrapped or not. Steam must be saturated (narrow lumen items may require pre- humidification). Air detection for vacuum sterilizers- before first cycle of day Mechanical - each cycle; Chemical - each cycle; Biologic - at weekly, but preferably daily, and with each load of critical items (Bacillus stearothermophilus spores). Heat tolerant instruments, labware, and accessories. Linen. Inexpensive. Rapid. Efficient. Can be used to sterilize liquids. Unsuitable for anhydrous oils, powders, lensed instruments, heat and moisture sensitive materials. Some table top sterilizers lack a drying phase. Flash sterilization Flash sterilization should be used only in an emergency. Flash sterilization should never be used for critical items such as implantable devices. Mechanical - each cycle; Chemical - each cycle; Biologic - at least once a week but preferably daily. Not recommended Difficult to monitor. The efficacy of flash sterilization will be impaired if all the necessary parameters are not met properly (e.g., time, temperature), the device is contaminated with organic matter, air is trapped in or around the device, or the sterilizer or flash pack is not working properly. Sterility cannot be maintained if the device is not wrapped. Boiling Not recommended None Not recommended Unable to be monitored; unreliable Microwave ovens Not recommended None Not recommended Unable to be monitored. Unreliable Glass bead sterilizers Not recommended None Not recommended Unable to be monitored. Cold spots. Inconsistent heating. Trapped air.
BiosafetyManual.docx