M A Y 2 0 1 7 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 5 5
L
ow-temperature sterilization is the go-to
option for killing infection-causing bac-
teria on devices with plastics, lenses and
electronic components that would be
damaged by the high heat of an auto-
The Lowdown on
Low-Temperature Sterilization
Maximize your use of alternatives to the autoclave
when reprocessing heat-sensitive devices.
Daniel Cook | Executive Editor
Bill Donahue | Senior Editor
• WELL EQUIPPED Low-temperature sterilization systems capable of handling a wide range of
devices will help staff prepare instruments for the OR in a safe, timely fashion.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
clave. Methods
include ethylene
oxide (EtO), vapor-
ized hydrogen perox-
ide, hydrogen perox-
ide gas plasma, per-
acetic acid and ozone.
Nancy Chobin, RN,
CSPDM, CFER, the
president of Sterile
Processing University
in Lebanon, N.J., sug-
gests you seek
answers to these
questions before
deciding which option
is best for your facili-
ty:
• Does the system's
footprint match up
with the constraints
of the department?
• Are there specific
safety issues that
necessitate additional
investments, includ-
ing special personal
protective equipment?