Biological indicators in sterilization process
Keywords:
Sterilization, Biological indicatorsAbstract
The objectives were to assess the amount, type and sterility indicators in the sterilization process.
Design: series of cases. Study site: Central Equipment and Sterilization Service at the Oncology, Pediatrics and Specialties Hospitals of the 21st Century National Medical Center Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico.
Material and methods: all sterilization processes, whether vapor or ethylene oxide gas sterilizes were studied during a sixmonth period from three hospitals at the National Medical Center. Variables analyzed: number of loads, sterilize processes and indicator of sterility used.
Results: the daily average sterilization loads were: Oncology 7.72, Pediatrics 10.92, Specialties 8.26. The vapor sterilize method was the type most frequently used (>90%). The percentage of utilization of the biological indicators of sterility showed: 32% pediatrics, 4% specialties and oncology 3%.
Conclusions: in spite of the fact that the sterilization indicators are twice as safe, they are underused.
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