The critical process of medical device sterilization is essential to ensure that dangerous microorganisms on an instrument are eradicated because any potential spores could produce further illness for the patient, which may become dangerous for their health status.
Understanding Sterilization Through History
Centuries ago, the Egyptians knew that a form sterilization was required during the embalming process and they protected methods used in those times. During the last two centuries, expert pioneers ventured forward with using heat and antiseptic solutions for their medical device sterilization.
Disinfecting and therefore, sterilizing medical instruments, was often based upon the use of the device and the risk to life being carefully assessed.
What Does Sterilization Do?
Comprehensive medical device sterilization is targeted to kill every potential microorganism and their spores to ensure that every medical instrument is free of potential danger.
In modern times, contract sterilization companies carry out the necessary procedures for many establishments and organizations across the US. They are expert professionals at completing the task efficiently and effectively. They do not allow to chance or the opportunity for an individual to choose an incorrect sterilization method which may put the patient at risk.
Dry heat and steam are used for heat sterilization, and these methods have been used for more than a century, using temperatures well over the boiling point of water.
Some hospitals favor steam sterilization to manage their dental instruments and any devices used during surgery. This method will not work with any devices or instruments made of plastic but can include polypropylene instruments.
Dry heat is useful for sterilizing powders and metal devices but is unsafe for a wide range of medical instruments because of the high temperatures used and a two-hour period for sterilizing the equipment.
Contract sterilization organizations may be qualified to use radiation sterilization, similar in the way that x-rays are taken of individuals. Chemical sterilization has also become popular during the past decades.