Analysis of sterilization efficiency and application cost of three low temperature sterilization methods
Hui Chen1, Jiawei Liu1, Aiying Zeng1
1West China Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Guoxuexiang No. 37, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Objective:
This paper discusses the sterilization efficiency of three low temperature sterilization methods used in thermosensitive medical devices and makes a preliminary analysis of sterilization costs so as to provide the basis for reasonable selection of low temperature sterilizer in Central Sterile Supply Department.
Methods:
Medical devices compatible with the three sterilization methods were selected for sterilization, and two packaging materials were selected for the three low-temperature sterilization equipment according to the compatibility of the packaging materials. The equipment packed with the same packaging materials were sterilized for five times, and each low-temperature sterilizer was sterilized for a total of ten times. The sterilization effect, sterilization cycle time, energy consumption, and cost of the three sterilizers were compared.
Results:
The cycle time of ethylene oxide sterilizer was 393.6 min, and the cycle time of hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma sterilizer was 56.1 min. The cycle time of low temperature steam and formaldehyde sterilizer was 105.7 min. The hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma sterilizes single cycle power consumption at a maximum of 5 kWh. The single cycle energy consumption of compressed air ethylene oxide sterilizer is up to 12 l. In terms of sterilization application cost, hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma sterilization has the highest cost, followed by ethylene oxide sterilization, and low temperature steam and formaldehyde sterilization is the lowest.
Conclusion:
The sterilization efficiency of hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma sterilization is the highest, followed by low temperature steam and formaldehyde sterilization, and the lowest is ethylene oxide sterilization. The three low temperature sterilization methods can achieve effective sterilization of devices. Each hospital can choose an appropriate low temperature sterilization method according to the characteristics of thermosensitive instruments, turnover efficiency requirements, and financial status.
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