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The field of infection prevention describes a hierarchy of removal of microorganisms from surfaces including medical equipment and instruments. Cleaning is the lowest level, accomplishing substantial removal. Disinfection involves the removal of all pathogens other than bacterial spores.
The practice of reusing medical devices labeled for only one use began in hospitals in the late 1970s. [8] After a thorough review by the U.S. FDA in 1999 and 2000, [8] the agency released a guidance document for reprocessed SUDs that began regulating the sale of these reprocessed devices on the market, [9] under the condition that third-party reprocessors would be treated as the manufacturer ...
This is a list of instruments used in microbiological sterilization and disinfection. [1] [2] [3]
The operations of a sterile services department usually consist of the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable medical equipment. Reusable medical equipment, or RME, can consist of any medical equipment from stainless steel surgical instrumentation, to IV pumps and crash carts. RME is separated into three classes: non-critical ...
Earle Spaulding of Temple University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) in a 1939 paper on disinfection of surgical instruments in a chemical solution proposed "a strategy for sterilization or disinfection of inanimate objects and surfaces based on the degree of risk involved in their use". [1]
A less specific measurement of effectiveness is the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classification into either high, intermediate or low levels of disinfection. "High-level disinfection kills all organisms, except high levels of bacterial spores" and is done with a chemical germicide marketed as a sterilant by the U.S. Food ...
Gamma radiation is very penetrating, and is commonly used for sterilization of disposable medical equipment, such as syringes, needles, cannulas and IV sets, and food. It is emitted by a radioisotope, usually cobalt-60 (60 Co) or caesium-137 (137 Cs), which have photon energies of up to 1.3 and 0.66 MeV, respectively.
[12] [11] In semi-critical situations, or situations with contact of mucous membranes or non-intact skin, high-level disinfectants are required. Cleaning and disinfecting devices with high-level disinfectants, rinsing with sterile water, and drying all equipment surfaces to prevent microorganism growth are methods nurses and doctors must follow.