As more types of procedures have moved to outpatient settings, the need for gentler sterilization that works on complicated internal parts has grown. For this reason, most outpatient surgery facilities have at least two types of sterilizers - a steam autoclave and a low-temperature method.

"Many devices can't withstand the temperature that autoclaves require for sterilization. Then the facility must look to other technology that operates at a lower temperature," says Zory Glaser, PhD, MPH, a former FDA official who is now an infection control consultant in Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C.

In this overview, we'll discuss increasing options in low-temperature sterilization, enhancements to steam sterilizers, and improved data capture for cycle verification and documentation.