Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-wq484 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T18:17:49.120Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Sporicidal Activity of a New Low-Temperature Sterilization Technology: The Sterrad 50 Sterilizer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

William A. Rutala ,
Maria F. Gergen  and
David J. Weber
William A. Rutala*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Maria F. Gergen
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
David J. Weber
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
*
547 Burnett-Womack Bldg, CB #7030, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7030
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a new low-temperature sterilization system that recently has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration, the Sterrad 50. Flat stainless steel carriers were inoculated with approximately 106 Bacillus stearothermophilus spores. These carriers were placed aseptically in the middle of 40-cm–long stainless steel-lumened test units of varying diameters (1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm). After inoculation, the test units were processed in the Sterrad 50. After sterilization, the carriers were assayed for growth of the B stearothermophilus spores. Our data demonstrated that the Sterrad 50 was highly effective in killing the B stearothermophilus spores (no positive carriers with 30 tests of each lumen-diameter test unit). The Sterrad 50 is likely to be clinically useful for the sterilization of heat-sensitive medical equipment.

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 20 , Issue 7 , July 1999 , pp. 514 - 516
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Rutala, WA, Gergen, MF, Weber, DJ. Comparative evaluation of the sporicidal activity of new low-temperature sterilization technologies: ethylene oxide, 2 plasma sterilization systems, and liquid peracetic acid. Am J Infect Control 1998;26:393–398.Google Scholar
2.Rutala, WA, Weber, DJ. Low-temperature sterilization technologies: do we need to redefine “sterilization”? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1995;17:87–91.Google Scholar
3.Ethylene oxide sterilization: how hospitals can adapt to the changes. Health Devices 1994;23:485–492.Google Scholar
4.Rutala, WA, Weber, DJ. Clinical effectiveness of low-temperature sterilization technologies. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1998;19:798–804.Google Scholar
5.Schneider, PM. Low-temperature sterilization alternatives in the 1990s. Tappi Journal 1994;77:115–119.Google Scholar
6.Jacobs, PT, Lin, SM. Gas-plasma sterilization. In: Clough, RL, Shalaby, SW, eds. Irradiation of Polymers: Fundamentals and Technological Applications. American Chemical Society Symposium series 620. Washington, DC: ACS; 1996:216–239.Google Scholar
7.Rutala, WA1994, 1995, and 1996 APIC Guidelines Committee. APIC guideline for selection and use of disinfectants. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Am J Infect Control 1996;24:313–342.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Alfa, MJ, DeGagne, P, Olson, N, Puchalski, T. Comparison of ion plasma, vaporized hydrogen peroxide and 100% ethylene oxide sterilizers to the 12/88 ethylene oxide gas sterilizer. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1995;17:92–100.Google Scholar
9.Jacobs, PT, Wang, JH, Gorham, RA, Roberts, CG. Cleaning: principles and benefits. In: Rutala, WA, ed. Sterilization, Disinfection and Antisepsis in Healthcare. Champlain, NY: Polyscience Publications; 1998:165–181.Google Scholar