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Outpatient Surgery E-Weekly

Contact Congress Over Drug Shortage Issues

A Kentucky congressman is urging surgical facilities to contact their members of Congress and request that they sign his letter demanding changes to...

N.J. Posts ASC Inspection Reports Online

State and federal inspection reports of New Jersey's ASCs are now available online, giving patients an opportunity to make more informed choices abo...

Are Opioids Necessary?

While it's not always practical, or even possible, to eliminate opioids from your post-op pain management regiment, reducing their use in favor of n...

Archive >  Infection Control 2005

Looking Beyond Steam Sterilization

Here's a review of your options and how to weigh the alternatives.

Nancy Chobin, RN, AAS, AASHCSP, CSPDM and Barbara Trattler, RN, MPA, CNOR, CNA

The sophistication of surgery has resulted in the need for more than the traditional steam sterilization. While most devices can be safely steam sterilized, many others are heat- or moisture-sensitive. So what are the alternatives and how realistic are they? Here's a look at the advantages and disadvantages of ethylene oxide gas (EtO), low-temperature gas plasma, peracetic acid, ozone and liquid chemicals (such as glutaraldehyde).

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Categories: Equipping Your OR, Infection Control, Product Reports
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