Central Service - Issue 6/01

EDITORIAL

NEWS UPDATE

What's New in Standardisation: Steam Quality
EFHSS Conference 2001, Brugge
Success in Small Steps. 2nd EFHSS Conference in Brugge, Belgium, 5 - 6 November 2001
Hygiene Prize of the Rudolf Schülke Foundation

RECOMMENDATIONS

Hygienic Requirements for Processing of Medical Devices
Recommendation of the RKI and the BfArM

MAIN ARTICLES

U. Rosenberg:
Assessing the Performance of Detergents Used in Washer-Disinfectors for Instrument Processing. A new method highlights the differences.
(Zentr Steril 2001; 9 (6): 413-424)

Abstract
Detergent manufacturers need methods for assessing the performance of experimental and finished products. This paper describes such a new method and outlines the results obtained. The method is based on a process challenge device made of porous sintered stainless steel, a test soil of artificial blood and a weight-based measurement method. Experiments conducted with this new method have shown that the performance of detergent formulations differ, that (neutral) enzymatic detergents are not necessarily inferior to alkaline, that the water quality can essentially affect the cleaning performance and that the process control in turn affects the cleaning performance and should be paid more attention to in future.

Working Group Instrument Preparation
Sterilisability of Reusable Surgical Instruments. Part 1: General Introduction - PCD Designing Process - Experimental Design.
(Zentr Steril 2001; 9 (6): 425-437)

Abstract
Quality assurance is being ascribed increasingly more importance in the hospital setting. In the circuit traversed by surgical instruments undergoing sterilisation, quality assurance is intended as a means of guaranteeing the user in the hospital that impeccable devices are being used, while at the same time giving the patient the feeling of high-quality care. The aim of the present study is to highlight the special requirements addressed to reusable surgical instruments and provide the everyday user with exact instructions for qualified processing procedures. The results of the study will be published by the Working Group Instrument Preparation in two consecutive issues of Central Service, and are broken down as follows:

1. General introduction, Designing process challenge devices for sterilisation, Experimental design
2. Results of the sterilisation study and implications of these results for workflow patterns in the CSSD.

J.A.A.M. van Asten
The Detection of Non-Condensable Gases in Steam Sterilisation Processes
(Zentr Steril 2001; 9 (6): 438-445)

Abstract
The presence of non-condensable gases inhibits the efficacy and reproducibility of steam-sterilisation processes. Non-condensable gases are either left in the chamber, leak in, or are introduced with the steam. The fact that these different occurrences of non-condensable gases result in different consequences is often ignored. However, it is a major issue when comparing the different test-methods designed to determine the amount of non-condensable gases and when setting acceptable levels. The question can be raised if the focus should at all be the detection of non-condensable gases; or should proof of adequate steam exposure rather be the criterion by which to judge the reliability of a sterilisation cycle.

FORUM

W. Storz, L. Gabele:
Martin Medizin Technik Designs New Container with "MicroStop" Sterile Barrier

EDUCATION

P. Heeg
Toxoplasmosis

MAILBOX

MIS Instruments

RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE QUALITY TASK GROUP (AK »QUALITÄT«)

Cleaning (Part 1) - Instruments Causing Problems