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told us that his biggest challenge with EtO sterilization is turnover
time. The sterilization time itself is only an hour, but the cycle also
requires a 10-hour aeration time. Once the standard for low-temperature sterilization, EtO gas sterilizes at 99°F to 131°F. It doesn't leave
residue on the material surface and has fewer lumen restrictions than
other methods. However, EtO is reactive and flammable and poses
health hazards that require special handling and training. Some states
require special exhaust systems for EtO sterilizers. Instruments in
each cycle also need to dry completely.
• Ozone. Although each ozone load is low-cost because there's no
sterilant to purchase — the method uses only water, oxygen and electricity — the 4.5-hour run time is a drawback. Because the ozone system creates a vacuum, power tools with oil in them can't run through
the system. Tools with oil in them need to be autoclaved or processed
in a gravity displacement steam sterilizer.
Key to ensuring the proper use of low-temp sterilizers is creating reasonable expectations in the operating room about how long it takes to
reprocess heat-sensitive instruments. "The length of time is of great concern," says Rudolph Gonzales, RN, MSN, CNOR, CRCST, nursing manager at Interim LSU Public Hospital in New Orleans, La. "Where compatible,
we may run items in plasma. Still, for rapid use in the OR, peracetic acid
is our best option where we don't store items for later use. The best of all
worlds is that they be terminally sterilized and be ready on the shelf."
N O V E M B E R 2012 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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