Clinical effectiveness of low-temperature sterilization technologies.
The elimination of chlorofluorocarbons by the Clean Air Act has led to the development of alternative technologies for low-temperature sterilization in the healthcare setting, including 100% ethylene oxide, ethylene oxide with other stabilizing gases, immersion in peracetic acid, and gas plasmas. The ideal sterilant does not exist, and infection control professionals should understand the advantages and disadvantages of these processes. However, when combined with adherence to standard cleaning protocols, the available data suggest that the currently available Food and Drug Administration-cleared low-temperature sterilization technologies can inactivate a clinically relevant inoculum of highly resistant organisms.
Rutala
W A
WA
University of North Carolina School of Medicine, the Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill 27599-7030, USA.
Weber
D J
DJ
D002495:Central Supply, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D012997:Solvents / Q000592:standards*; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D013696:Temperature; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D012997:Solvents