OSE_1211_part2_Layout 1 11/8/12 10:43 AM Page 99
S T A M P I N G
O U T
S S I
S
COMPATIBILITY CHECK Before
you put any device into a low-temperature sterilizer, make sure the
manufacturer of that type of
sterilizer has validated it.
"Look for yourself to make sure they're compatible," says Ms.
Geroski. "Review your instructions for use on the equipment you
want to sterilize."
In an ideal world
What are the characteristics of an ideal low-temperature sterilization
process? Marcia Patrick, MSN, RN, CIC, an infection prevention consultant from Tacoma, Wash., cites the following 9 factors:
• High efficacy. The agent should be virucidal, bactericidal, tuberculocidal, fungicidal and sporicidal.
• Rapid activity. Ability to quickly achieve sterilization.
• Strong penetrability. Ability to penetrate common medical-device
packaging materials and penetrate into the interior of device lumens.
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
9 9
