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Related Experiment Videos

Clinical effectiveness of low-temperature sterilization technologies

W A Rutala1, D J Weber

  • 1University of North Carolina School of Medicine, the Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill 27599-7030, USA.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|November 4, 1998
PubMed
Summary

The Clean Air Act spurred new low-temperature sterilization methods for healthcare. Current FDA-cleared technologies effectively inactivate resistant organisms when used with proper cleaning protocols.

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Area of Science:

  • Healthcare infection control
  • Sterilization technologies
  • Environmental regulations impact on medical devices

Background:

  • The phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons under the Clean Air Act necessitated alternatives for low-temperature sterilization in healthcare.
  • Existing low-temperature sterilization methods include 100% ethylene oxide, ethylene oxide with stabilizing gases, peracetic acid immersion, and gas plasmas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of current low-temperature sterilization technologies in healthcare settings.
  • To inform infection control professionals about the advantages and disadvantages of alternative sterilization methods.

Main Methods:

  • Review of available data on Food and Drug Administration-cleared low-temperature sterilization technologies.
  • Assessment of efficacy against clinically relevant inoculums of highly resistant organisms.

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Main Results:

  • No single ideal sterilant exists; each technology presents unique advantages and disadvantages.
  • Current Food and Drug Administration-cleared low-temperature sterilization methods demonstrate efficacy in inactivating highly resistant organisms.

Conclusions:

  • Healthcare facilities must weigh the pros and cons of various low-temperature sterilization processes.
  • When integrated with standard cleaning protocols, available low-temperature sterilization technologies can effectively manage challenging microbial loads.