title: The use of ethylene oxide and low temperature steam/formaldehyde in hospitals.
abstract: Reprocessing of heat-labile medical equipment is a major problem in hospital practice. Requirements are either for sterilization, e.g. cardiac catheters, or disinfection, e.g. respiratory equipment. Methods of low temperature sterilization include ethylene oxide, low-temperature steam and formaldehyde (LTS/F) and immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde. Ethylene oxide is reliable, but potentially toxic. LTS/F machines operate at a high temperature, but treated equipment needs less aeration. The advantages of these processes and possible alternatives are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Infection Research Laboratory, Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham, England.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ayliffe
mesh_terms: D005027:Ethylene Oxide; D005557:Formaldehyde; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005557:Formaldehyde; D005027:Ethylene Oxide