METHODS OF LOW TEMPERATURE STERILIZATION
This method uses a toxic, flammable gas and requires a significant aeration time
What is Ethylene Oxide (EtO) sterilization?
This is the primary safety concern for personnel using EtO sterilizers.
What is the toxicity of EtO?
This is a key advantage of H₂O₂ gas plasma sterilization over EtO
What is the shorter cycle time or the lack of toxic residuals?
This characteristic odor is often associated with ozone.
What is a pungent or sharp odor?
This organization sets standards and guidelines for sterilization practices in healthcare facilities.
What is AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation)?
This process involves a two-step cycle where a sterilant is introduced and then radio frequency energy creates free radicals.
What is Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) Gas Plasma sterilization?
This environmental regulation aims to limit EtO emissions from sterilization facilities
What are EPA regulations?
Cellulose-based materials are generally incompatible with this sterilization method due to absorption.
What is Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) Gas Plasma sterilization?
Ozone is generated within the sterilizer from this common element.
What is oxygen?
These indicators provide immediate visual confirmation that a sterilization process has been exposed to the sterilant.
What are chemical indicators?
This relatively new low-temperature sterilization method utilizes an unstable triatomic form of oxygen.
What is Ozone (O₃) sterilization?
This parameter, along with EtO concentration and exposure time, is critical for effective EtO sterilization
What is humidity?
This is the byproduct formed at the end of the H₂O₂ gas plasma sterilization cycle
What are water and oxygen?
This is a significant advantage of ozone sterilization regarding residuals on processed items.
What is the decomposition into non-toxic oxygen?
This type of biological indicator is used to monitor the effectiveness of low-temperature sterilization processes, particularly EtO and H₂O₂ gas plasma.
What is Bacillus atrophaeus (formerly Bacillus subtilis var. niger) spores?
Liquid peracetic acid is used in this automated system for reprocessing heat-sensitive, immersible instruments.
What is liquid chemical sterilization?
Materials containing this natural polymer can be negatively affected by EtO sterilization.
What is latex (natural rubber)?
This is the typical concentration range of hydrogen peroxide used in gas plasma sterilizers.
What is 58% to 90%?
This factor can affect the efficacy of ozone sterilization by hindering its penetration
What is lumen size and length?
This term refers to the periodic checks of sterilizer performance using biological indicators.
What is biological monitoring or spore testing?
This method combines hydrogen peroxide vapor and ozone to achieve sterilization at lower concentrations and shorter cycle times.
What is vaporized hydrogen peroxide and ozone sterilization?
This process is essential after EtO sterilization to remove residual gas from processed items.
What is aeration?
The creation of these reactive molecules is essential for the sporicidal activity in H₂O₂ gas plasma sterilization.
What are free radicals (e.g., hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals)?
The strong oxidizing properties of ozone are due to its tendency to revert to this more stable diatomic form.
What is O₂ (molecular oxygen)?
Healthcare facilities are required to keep these detailed records of each sterilization cycle.
What are sterilization records (including cycle parameters, BI results, chemical indicator results, and operator identification)?