Review Notes DETAILS
STERILIZATION
Sterilization is defined as the complete elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life including spores
HIGH TEMPERATURE STERILIZATION
High-temperature is the most common method for sterilization of heat-stable medical devices and surgical instruments
TWO TYPES OF HIGH TEMPERATURE STERILIZATION
1. Moist heat (steam) sterilization
2. Dry heat sterilization
MAIN TYPES OF STEAM STERILIZATION
1. Dynamic Air Removal Sterilizer (prevacuum cycle) – Air is mechanically removed from the chamber and load through a series of vacuum and pressure pulses.
2. Gravity Air displacement sterilizer – steam is pumped into the sterilizer chamber which displaces residual air through a drain port near the bottom of the chamber
Temperature normally used for gravity air displacement is 250 degrees F with 30 minutes exposure time for wrapped instrument and textile pack
Temperature normally used for dynamic air removal is 270-275 degrees F with 4-3 minutes respective exposure time for wrapped instruments and textile pack
FACTORS IMPACTING EFFECTIVE STEAM STERILIZATION
1. Time (exposure time)
2. Temperature (steam temperature)
3. Moisture (amount of moisture in the steam)
4. Contact (direct steam contact with object being sterilized)
D-VALUE
The amount of time in minutes required to kill 90% of microorganisms on an object is referred to as D-value