[Tests of the microbiologic barrier in sterile packaging].
After decontamination, cleaning, maintenance and functional testing, sterilised items must be packed suitably. The package must protect sterilised items against microbial contamination during removal from the sterilising chamber, and during storage or transport until use. The ability of any given pack to withstand penetration by bacteria is termed bacterial barrier efficiency. The assurance to keep the contents of the packaging sterile is determined by quality of the materials and the quality of seals. The research was done to proof the microbial barrier, determined by quality of the packaging materials/systems used to sterilization in hospital practice in Poland. 4 packaging materials and 4 types of containers were tested. In all used methods the growth of microorganisms indicated the lack of the bacterial efficiency, the lack of growth--the bacterial barrier efficiency. It was proved that two tested specialistic sterilization papers, non woven material and specialistic containers (metal with a filter or valve, plastic with a filter) are effective microbial barriers because it was no microorganisms growth. It has been determined that sulphite bleachery paper of 60 g/m2 and Schimmelbusch container do not provide the microbial barrier. Based on the performed studies it has been determined that sulphite bleachery paper and Schimmelbusch container can not be used as sterilization packaging system in sterilization practice in hospitals.
Jakimiak
Bozenna
B
Zakład Zwalczania Skazeń Biologicznych Państwowy Zakład Higieny 00-791 Warszawa, ul. Chocimska 24.
Röhm-Rodowald
Ewa
E
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000382:microbiology*; D008422:Materials Testing; D010209:Paper / Q000592:standards; D011044:Poland; D019064:Product Packaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards