Central Service - Issue 5/07

EDITORIAL

Gold Standard

NEWS UPDATE

MAIN ARTICLES

B. Peláez*, R. Andrade, L. Barreales, T. Bomboí, R. Fernández, J. Fereres:
Study of Environmental Levels of Formaldehyde Emitted by a Low Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde (LTSF) Sterilizer in the Hospital Clínico San Carlos
(Zentr Steril 2007; 15 (5): 329-340)

Abstract
Objective: To establish environmental contamination levels emitted by a low temperature steam and formaldehyde (LTSF) sterilizer located in the Central Sterilization Supply Department (CSSD) of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC) in Madrid..

Material and Methods: A total of 90 air samples were taken, during and after each phase of the 60 ºC and 50 ºC cycles with the LTSF installed (130 LF, A. Matachana, Barcelona, Spain). The effect of the centralized air conditioning in the room was evaluated taking samples with and without artificial ventilation (AV). All tests were carried out in triplicate, resulting in a total of 42 and 48 samples for the 60 ºC and 50 ºC cycles, respectively. Environmental formaldehyde samples were taken and analyzed by sampling air in silica-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridges and detected by liquid desorption of the cartridges with acetonitryl with subsequent high resolution liquid chromatography..

Results: The overall average of formaldehyde concentrations obtained was 0.056 mg/m3 (95% CI: 0.039;0.073). The average formaldehyde concentration obtained during the 60 ºC cycles was 0.051 mg/m3 (95% CI: 0.027;0.075) and 0.061 mg/m3 (95% CI: 0.034;0.088) during the 50 ºC cycles (p = 0.60). Regardless of the cycle type, mean formaldehyde levels in the room were significantly reduced in presence of AV (p = 0.003). No sample had a formaldehyde concentration over the environmental limit value of 0.37 mg/m3..

Conclusions: Indoor air formaldehyde concentrations, quantified during LTSF sterilization, were below the maximum permitted environmental levels. Artificial ventilation significantly reduces air concentrations of formaldehyde. Nevertheless, installing artificial ventilation does not appear to be absolutely necessary to maintain formaldehyde concentrations below permitted levels.

V. Schmidt*, J. Staffeldt, W. Wagemann, P. Heeg, K. Roth:
Efficacy of a Multifunctional Detergent against Microorganisms, Viruses and Prions
(Zentr Steril 2007; 15 (5): 341-353)

Abstract
An alkaline detergent for automated decontamination of medical devices was tested in respect of its prion efficacy and micricobicidal properties. This was done on the basis of the methods recommended by the Robert Koch Institute for investigating prion efficacy as well as the European standards for furnishing proof of disinfectant action.

The aim was to demonstrate that this detergent, which does not contain any disinfectant ingredients in effective concentrations, meets all the requirements for a disinfectant in an automated, chemothermal disinfection process and, furthermore, is endowed with prion-destabilising, prion-inactivating and prion decontaminating properties.

Comparative tests of the microbicidal properties of conventional alkaline detergents used for automated decontamination of medical devices as well as with aldehyde-based disinfectants for this field of application show that the test detergent is endowed with unique microbicidal properties. This is comparable with those of aldehyde-based disinfectants under the use conditions.

The use of such an alkaline detergent with a microbicidal activity as well as prion efficacy for automated decontamination of medical devices offers the possibility of rendering the decontamination process both more efficient as well as safer for patients and users.

Sorry, the following information is currently not available in English.

AFS-Arbeitsgruppe:
Beherrschung und Kontrolle der Umgebungsbedingungen bei der Sterilisation. Empfehlung der französ. Gesellschaft für Sterilgutversorgung AFS - Teil 2

Qualitätsmanagement in der ZSVA - Chirurgische Standard-Instrumente (4):
Sicht- und Funktionskontrolle von Standard atraumatischen Klemmen

EMPFEHLUNGEN DES AK "QUALITÄT"

Aufbereitung von Anästhesie- und Beatmungutensilien