A testing and evaluation protocol for in-hospital sterilization containers and its application to a new container...

A new containerized sterilization system has been designed to fulfill the needs of central supply departments and operating rooms, as well as the recommendations of various professional associations and accrediting agencies. The testing that was performed to demonstrate the function and efficacy of the system in the hospital environment illustrates the evaluation criteria that should be applied to any containerized sterilization system. Among the unique features of this containerized system are: a tortuous-path lid design to protect the permeable biobarrier portion of the container from direct challenge, a drain to allow condensation to exit the container, and reusable valves to allow steam entry and air removal. Evaluation of containers with reusable valves revealed the cause of a previously unexplained phenomenon that affects drying and suggested means by which this phenomenon can be prevented.