Does blood on “dirty” instruments interfere with the effectiveness of sterilization technologies?
William A. Rutala, Maria F. Gergen, David J. Weber
Abstract
We evaluated the robustness of sterilization technologies when spores and bacteria were placed on "dirty" instruments and overlaid with blood. The results illustrate that steam sterilization is the most effective sterilization technology with the largest margin of safety, followed by ethylene oxide and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma.
Topics & Concepts
Sterilization (economics)Hydrogen peroxideEthylene oxideWaste managementPulp and paper industryChemistryMedicineBusinessEngineeringOrganic chemistryCopolymerPolymerFinanceForeign exchange marketExchange rateMedical Device Sterilization and DisinfectionInfection Control in HealthcareSafe Handling of Antineoplastic Drugs