Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To discuss the sterilization effects of different cycle modes with hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization and the selection of cycle under special circumstances, so as to minimize the hidden dangers of health risks caused by unqualified sterilization to ensure patients' safety.
METHODS STERRAD 100S low-temperature hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilizers were divided into experimental group (long cycles, from Apr. to Jun. 2016) and control group (short cycles, from Jan. to Mar. 2016) according to different cycle modes. Under 4 different situations (Group A, B, C, D) that caused unqualified sterilization effect and were challenging to monitor with current methods, 120 loads of instruments were sterilized with different lengths of cycles respectively. The time interval between two loads in group A was 4 hours, sterilization load in group B was ≥80%, instruments not compatible with the process were loaded in group C, and sterilization agent diluted due to factors like excessive sun exposure, high temperature or violent shaking during transportation belonged to group D. Sterilized bags were cleaned, disinfected, dried, and packaged according to hospital disinfection supply center operation standards, and the sterilization effects were monitored, evaluated, and analyzed.
RESULTS Comparison between experimental group and control group, the qualified rates of Nordonbio 628 biological PCD were 83.33% and 6.67% respectively with a significant difference (
P<0.001), qualified rates of Nordonbio
®728 (PCD) were 80% and 6.67% respectively with a significant difference (
P<0.001); qualified rates of CycleSure
TM biological test agent and Nordonbio
®628 biological PCD in the same group were 86.67% and 6.67% respectively with a significant difference (
P<0.001); and qualified rates of STERRAD chemical indicators and Nordonbio 728 (PCD) in the same group were 96.67% and 6.67% respectively with a significant difference (
P<0.001).
CONCLUSION In the process of hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, using long cycle for sterilization can significantly improve sterilization quality of the lumens and complex instruments. Long cycle sterilization should be chosen under special circumstances, and PCD monitoring results are more accurate during the sterilization process