has become the norm for wrapping surgical trays . Like woven disposable wraps , non-woven disposable wraps must meet various standards to reach sterility barriers . They are usually made of 100 percent polypropylene to provide foolproof protection against fluids and other contaminants , and they are available in single- or double-bound layers . They also come in an array of colors .
Single-use wraps do not require additional accessories like locks , filters , or cards to hold in inventory and there are no additional components to clean . That said , there is still plenty to keep in mind when using non-woven disposable wrap .
Sterile trays should not be stored in a manner that can cause tears to the package .
●Exactly what you need must always be on hand . An SPD must maintain inventory of the sterilization-grade wrap according to the size and weight of the medical device and the sterilization method to be used . Some manufacturers recommend the wraps to be at room temperature prior to use .
●It must be carefully inspected . Disposable wraps must be inspected for damage prior to each use .
●Match the process with the wrap . The sterility maintenance of the package is based on the sterilization method utilized .
●Close it tightly . A package must be closed in a manner that allows the sterilant to penetrate the package but does not compromise the integrity of the sterilization . A package that is loosely wrapped could end up contaminated .
●It could get pricey . Disposable wraps can tear easily and may require additional accessories like surgical instrument transport trays , corner protectors , and heavier thicker wraps for bigger trays . These workarounds may prevent holes on the wrap but could end up adding cost to the final product .
Handling and transport . Instrument trays packaged in disposable wrap must be handled with care and ensure the packages are not stacked in a manner that can cause tears . Heavy trays should not be stored on top of small trays as it could create compression , damage the instruments , or holes .
●Disposal is not free . There are often additional costs of disposing the wrap after use .
Rigid Sterilization Containers
One of the easiest methods of sterilization wrapping is the rigid container , typically a metal box made of aluminum and a mixture of other metals , or a durable plastic . The metal containers are put through an anodizing process to make the metal durable and corrosion resistant while adding an attractive finish . Rigid sterilization containers are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) and require 510K approval to be marketed in the United States .
Rigid containers streamline sterilization processes by using inner baskets , lids , and outer containers that can be easily and quickly put together . The inner baskets can be customized with silicone brackets to support medical devices and protect them from moving during transport . Most important , rigid sterilization containers eliminate the possibility of finding holes on sterilization containers .
Just as we considered the disadvantages of woven and non-woven wraps , so too must we consider some of the disadvantages of rigid sterilization containers .
●They are more than just the container . Rigid containers require several components and accessories that can add to the inventory and take up space in the SPD . Every workstation must be well stocked with locks , filters , and indicator cards according to the sterilization method to be used .
●And they take up space . There must be space allocated in the preparation area to stage rigid containers waiting to be used for assembly of the trays . And rigid containers add to the volume of items to be cleaned in the decontamination area because they are large and all components must be washed separately .
●Custom sizes . An SPD must keep a stock of rigid containers according to the size and weight of the medical device and the sterilization method to be used .
●They get specific . Weight for the container and instruments must not exceed specifications and recommendations from the manufacturer or professional societies .
●There is more to think about . There are specific validations for sterilization methods , medical devices , and lumens that must be accounted for .
●They may need special cleaning products . The manufacturer IFU must be followed to ensure that abrasive cleaners and / or metal brushes are not used because they can damage the anodized surface of the rigid container .
●They also can be damaged . Each container must be inspected before is used to ensure there is no damage to the lids , latches , retention plates and the box . Rigid containers tend to disalign if they are dropped breaking the pefect seal they provide to the package .
We have come a long way from the era of contaminated wooden surgical instrument boxes , and today most SPDs use a combination of non-woven wrap and rigid sterilization containers to keep their instruments safe . Hospitals with environmentally friendly initiative tend to favor rigid containers and reusable woven cloth wraps but regardless of the packaging system used in your facility , be sure to have in place a comprehensive quality audit system to deliver a sterilized and safe instrument every time .
Mary Olivera , MHA , CRCST , CHL , FCS , has actively participated in the monitoring , surveying and training interdepartmental staff in the proper cleaning , decontamination and sterilization practices and has been highly committed to the standardization of interdepartmental processes . Currently , she is the president and CEO for OSPECS Consulting , LLC . a company dedicated to facilitating process re-engineering in healthcare organizations .
www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • april 2021
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