Different methods are used to prepare medical instruments for use. Sterilization is one of them. This procedure can be carried out using various means that can provide the desired effect. But first, it’s worth understanding the purpose and features of this process.
Sterilization products
The implementation of disinfection and sterilization of medical devices is necessary in order to destroy or neutralize various types of microorganisms. Such procedures are of great importance, and if they are neglected, there will be a risk of infectious diseases, including purulent-septic ones. Moreover, both patients and medical workers are at risk.
For this reason, it is important to use different sterilization methods for medical devices. As for the quality of disinfection, it can be checked by washing for the determination of Staphylococcus aureus, as well as bacteria belonging to the group of Escherichia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The process of instrument decontamination generally involves disinfection followed by cleaning and sterilization. The rules of these procedures are approved by the Ministry of He alth of the Russian Federation. Before consideringmethods of sterilizing instruments that are used in modern medicine, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the general concept of disinfection.
What is disinfection
This term is used to define a procedure that allows the destruction of opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms on any surface of the room, including floors, walls, switches, medical products, dishes, etc.
Such methods should be used in any institution that has a treatment and prophylactic profile. As a key task of disinfection, one can name the elimination, as well as the prevention of the process of accumulation, reproduction, and the spread of pathogens.
Disinfection can have both focal and prophylactic forms. Various methods can be used within this procedure. Sterilization in this case is focused on protecting people from the possibility of infection. This process involves wet daily and general cleaning, which is carried out every week. But focal disinfection is carried out only when there is a suspicion of the emergence and spread of infection in he alth facilities.
What is used for effective disinfection
Speaking about the specific drug that is used to neutralize microorganisms, it is worth noting that its choice is made depending on which infectious disease you have to deal with.
The degree of disinfection is also affected by the type of medicalproducts. Based on this, this process can have a high, intermediate and low level.
The instruments and medical products themselves can be divided into several categories:
1. Critical. They are used to penetrate into vessels, sterile tissues of the body, due to which they come into contact with injection solutions or blood.
2. Semi-critical. During their operation, contact with damaged skin or mucous membranes is made.
3. Non-critical. They are needed for contact with intact skin.
Sterilization methods for medical devices
This procedure can be defined as part of the disinfection measures. It should be noted that it is carried out using several key techniques:
1. steam method. In order to obtain the desired result, water vapor under pressure is used. This approach to sterilization can be implemented using special equipment - an autoclave.
2. Chemical method of sterilization. In this case, special chemical solutions are used. Disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide or alaminol may be used.
3. Air cleaning. It uses dry hot air generated by the oven.
4. Physical. Its essence boils down to processing tools by boiling in distilled water, to which sodium can be added.
5. Biological. In hisThe basis is the use of antagonism of different microorganisms. Through the action of bacteriophages, the destruction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, typhoid bacteria, staphylococci, etc. is achieved.
6. Radiation. Tools exposed to gamma rays.
7. Plasma use.
The most widely used steam sterilization. Its main advantages come down to ease of use, low time costs and versatility (any tool can be processed).
But it is important to understand that all methods and modes of sterilization are used in medical institutions, and the matter is not limited to the steam method alone. Therefore, the main ones should be given more attention.
Using steam
Paying attention to the steam sterilization method, it should be noted that it still remains the most affordable and reliable way to process heat-resistant medical products in he althcare facilities.
Tools are placed in special packages or boxes, which can be either with or without a filter. Pressurized saturated steam is used as a sterilizing agent. As for those instruments made of brass or stainless steel, they are virtually unaffected during autoclaving. Changes, if any, are minor.
Steam sterilization method is mainly used for disinfection of special and general surgic altools, parts of apparatus and devices made of metals resistant to corrosion, syringes (marked 200 ° C), glass, latex and rubber products, some types of plastics, suture and dressing material, as well as surgical linen.
In addition, the steam method can be used to sterilize ligature suture material. We are talking about surgical twisted silk and nylon threads, polyester cords, etc.
Air method
The use of dry hot air can be identified as the oldest technique. Moreover, throughout the past century, it has been the most common way to deal with the risk of infection. But at the moment, modern medicine uses the air method of sterilization less and less, preferring steam.
In order to have the desired effect on the instruments, as part of this process, air sterilizers are used, the temperature in which reaches 160-180 ° C. However, dry heat is never used to sterilize injection solutions. This can be explained by the fact that, due to the low thermal conductivity of air, the temperature of the solutions does not have time to reach the desired level. But talc, heat-resistant powders, auxiliary materials and glass containers can be successfully processed.
The quality of the sterilization process largely depends on how evenly the hot dry air is distributed in the chamber. At the same time, the best sterilizers are considered to be those that allow you to get a laminar air flow that heats up to the desired temperature.temperature.
Using chemistry
The chemical method of sterilization cannot be called the main one, but it performs the function of an auxiliary process with dignity. This procedure is used for processing those instruments that cannot withstand high temperatures.
The process itself takes place in sealed chambers filled with ethylene oxide. Typically, complete sterilization requires 15 to 16 hours. At the same time, the temperature inside remains at 18 ° C.
Also, strong special solutions (formalin, povidone-iodine, Pervomur, etc.) can be used to achieve complete disinfection of instruments.
Plasma technique
If possible, it replaces chemical exposure in medical facilities. The bottom line is that after treatment with solutions or ethylene oxide, it is impossible to use tools for some time - due to toxic effects during the sterilization process. With plasma, these problems are eliminated.
The essence of the method is relatively simple: for the disinfection of instruments, hydrogen peroxide vapor and its plasma are supplied, the temperature of which is at the level of 36 °C. Further, due to the influence of the electromagnetic field, the formation of free radicals occurs, which neutralize pathogens. To achieve the desired result, it will take 30-40 minutes of such exposure to medical instruments and materials.
You can use other methods. Sterilization with ozone, for example, also shows good results when processingproducts that do not fall into the category of heat-resistant.
Radiation method
In this case, the processing of tools is performed using gamma rays. This method of disinfection is used to prepare those instruments that are sensitive to the influence of chemical compounds and high temperature. This approach to disinfection destroys microorganisms by releasing ionizing energy.
It is worth noting that this method has recently become no less popular than other methods. This type of sterilization attracts attention due to several tangible benefits:
- tools and materials can be used immediately after the completion of the disinfection process;
- effective processing is possible even in sealed packages, which can subsequently be stored for a long time;
- no toxic substances remain on the instruments.
Quality control
In any he alth facility, various methods of sterilization control are used for disinfection. These are the following actions:
1. Preparing tools. Small particles that may have remained after the operation are being removed.
2. Water is chosen only of high quality and always soft. This avoids damage to the autoclave and directly to the material itself, which is being sterilized. The best option would be distilled or demineralized water.
3. Pressure, temperature and duration of the entire process are constantly monitored.
4. Compliance with the norms of loading the amount of sterilized material is recorded.
Obviously, physical methods of sterilization have not been the only method of disinfection in modern medicine for a long time. Due to the rapid development of technology, the approach to instrument preparation in Russian hospitals can be described as flexible and efficient.
