MAKE OURSELVES AWARE OF THE DISINFECTANTS USED IN HOSPITALS: PLASMA STERILIZATION

✔️Plasma sterilization requires an array of equipments

🔹A chemical processor (to derive the plasma)

🔹A closed chamber and deep vacuum ( for the creation of low temperature plasma)

🔹A source of electromagnetic energy ( to create an electromagnetic field)

🔹Hydrogen peroxide or a mixture of Hydrogen peroxide + per acetic acide can be used as the chemical disinfectant

✔️The electromagnetic field interacts with the chemical disinfectant to induce the plasma

✔️The resulting UV radiation causes rapid destruction of vegetative organisms including spores

✔️Examples of commercial plasma sterilizers : Sterrad 100S , Plazlyte

✔️Useful for sterilization of surgical instruments having long and narrow lumens

( e.g. Those used in urologic, laparoscopic and arthroscopic surgeries )

Reference :

Hospital Associated Infections; Epidemiology, Prevention and Control , Nita Patwardhan

MAKE OURSELVES AWARE OF THE DISINFECTANTS USED IN OUR HOSPITALS: ETHYLENE OXIDE

💥Sterilant of choice for sterilizing heat labile medical equipment

💥e.g. plastic and rubber items, blankets,crude drugs and powders,glass ,metal, paper,fabrics 

💥Also used for sterilizing heart-lung machines, respirators, sutures

💥Extremely penetrant, non corrosive,effective 

💥Toxic, irritant, mutagenic and a suspected carcinogen 

💥Explosive, except when mixed with other gases like Carbon dioxide or Nitrogen in the ratio 1:10 (require expensive equipment)

💥Usually used at 55-60 degree at about 33% humidity

💥Items to be sterilized should be clean and packaged with polythene or polypropylene (don't use nylon)

💥The sterilizing process should be monitored by spore tests +/- indicator tests

💥As ETO and its residues are toxic and irritant, materials exposed should be thoroughly aerated before use. Aeration at 55 degree greatly enhances elution of ETO

💥Control limit of exposure of individuals at work is 1 ppm ETO over an 8 hour time weighted averaged period

💥Irradiated articles should not be subsequently treated with ETO, unless they are known to be safe after such treatment 

Reference :

Hospital Associated Infections; Epidemiology, Prevention and Control , Nita Patwardhan , p:71-72