Medical sterilization equipment plays an important role in patient safety in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor offices and rehabilitation facilities. It's necessary to sterilize all medical equipment after it's been used before it can be safely used again. Sterilization devices for medical equipment help expedite this process quickly and efficiently for doctors, nurses and medical staff.

Sterilization and hygiene equipment can be used to clean machines, monitors, specula, thermometers and other medical or dental devices. It's important that nurses, assistants and medical staff be trained in how to use sterilization equipment and hygiene devices. Sterilization and hygiene equipment education and training for medical office staff should include:

1. Learning how to safely operate industrial hygiene equipment.

2. Determining which hospital sterilization equipment to use.

3. Using medical sterilizers correctly to clean devices and equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take classes to become educated in operating hygiene and sterilization equipment

Hospitals and large rehabilitation centers often designate one staff member to operate sterilizing equipment, but in smaller physicians offices or nursing homes the duty of using sterilizers to clean medical devices could fall on anyone on staff. It's important that everyone in your medical facility be trained to use sterilization and hygiene equipment.

I recommend: The College of Physicians and Surgeons offers several training courses for medical staff to learn how to use sterilization and hygiene equipment. The program was initially developed to improve health care sanitation in Canada. AAMI offers online seminars and training programs to teach you to use medical or dental sterilizing equipment safely with radiation.

Study state and federal guidelines concerning medical sterilization equipment

There are state and federal regulations regulating the sterilization of medical and dental devices. These guidelines are set to ensure the safety of both the medical staff and the patients. It's important to learn how to use sterilization equipment according to health industry regulations and standards.

I recommend: The Center for Disease Control outlines the proper process for sterilizing specific categories of medical devices. Science-Laboratory-Equipment.com teaches you about different medical devices, like autoclaves and dental lab equipment, and how to clean them using medical and dental sterilizers.

Attend trade shows to learn about new sterilization and hygiene equipment tools and technology

Sterilization and hygiene equipment is being continuously adapted and updated with new technology to meet growing demands in the health care industry. It's important that nurses, doctors and medical staff responsible for using sterilizers learn about these new innovations. One of the best ways to do this is by attending industry conferences and expos.

I recommend: MD&M is one of the largest medical equipment expos in the country, featuring a variety of vendors and workshops dealing with medical sterilization equipment. Med Trade is an annual health industry expo that will educate you about the latest in sterilization equipment and techniques.

As you adapt and improve the treatment you give patients, you will be upgrading sterilization equipment and hygiene devices from time to time. You have a much more comprehensive selection of innovative products and services available to you today online than even a few years ago.

The best-in-class medical sterilization equipment is essential. It can also be quite costly. When you're purchasing sterilization and hygiene equipment:

1. Utilize health care industry resources to determine the best medical sterilization equipment and hygiene equipment supplier for your practice.

2. Browse a variety of providers to find the best equipment.

3. Choose equipment that includes adequate service and support programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use industry resources to choose the best sterilization and hygiene equipment

Before you purchase hygiene devices or sterilizers, determine your present needs. It's also a good idea to consider how those needs may change as your business grows. You can go to professional organizations and agencies for advice and to evaluate products.

I recommend: A good place to begin is the FDA self-service site for medical device and radiation emitting product information. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) offers an excellent three-volume set of Sterilization Standard Books. The third part offers invaluable information on industrial hygiene equipment. Try the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for advice about hygiene. Visit the Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Association, Inc. (EOSA) site to find solutions about the use and handling of ethylene oxide for sterilization purpose

Find and purchase cutting-edge sterilizing equipment and hygiene devices

Today you have access to a wide array of state-of-the-art sterilization devices and products on the Internet. Compare prices and features and choose what works best for your practice.

I recommend: Take a look at The Online Medical Buyer's Guide. For dental hygiene equipment or to Practicon Dental. You can also purchase sterilization and hygiene equipment at Medical Solutions, Inc. Try the sites of individual manufacturers like Steris.

Choose sterilization equipment that includes fully integrated service and support programs

When you purchase sterilization and hygiene equipment, you are making an investment. Make sure you know where to turn when you have questions and technical concerns. Major manufacturers usually offer comprehensive customer support options.

I recommend: Look at the Steris site for field service and tech support. For other service options, go to Getinge USA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many manufacturers are willing to finance sterilization and hygiene equipment.
• •  You may not be prepared to purchase sterilization devices at this time. Look into leasing them.
• •  Many web sites offer used or rebuilt medical sterilization equipment. This may be a good option for you.

Sterilization and hygiene equipment is essential for medical offices and hospitals. Sterilization equipment is a good way to reduce costs on medical supplies that can easily be reused without worry of contamination between patients. Most medical devices and equipment that can be sterilized and used again are made from certain materials, such as stainless steel, that are not porous and are easy to clean with heat or cleaning solutions. Along with the proper equipment, those in the medical field should also know about the proper procedures for disposing of materials that are not reusable.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Radiation sterilization

Radiation sterilization is a type of sterilization for polymer-based medical devices and materials that use gamma radiation. This is one of three types of common sterilization techniques used in hospitals and clinics.

I recommend: Medical Device Link offers a discussion on how results from radiation sterilization are validated to ensure safety.

Sterilization dose

The sterilization dose is the amount of gamma radiation used in radiation sterilization. This dose is determined by dose auditing a sample form of the material to determine how much radiation should be used.

I recommend: STERIS Isomedix Services outlines the process of gamma radiation sterilization dose auditing.

Disinfectants, sterilants

Disinfectants is the second of the three ways to sterilize medical devices and equipment. Disinfectants, or sterilants, are chemicals that can be applied to medical devices for cleaning and sterilization by killing live microorganisms that may be living on the surface.

I recommend: The Healthcare Environmental Resource Center offers information and guidelines on using different types of chemical disinfectants in a healthcare setting.

Autoclave

An autoclave is the third type of sterilization available for medical devices. An autoclave is a vessel that uses pressurized steam heat to sterilize medical equipment. Autoclaves are often used for stainless steel devices, because the temperature can destroy certain paper and plastic products.

I recommend: The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services offers temperature and procedural information on using an autoclave for different types of medical waste.

Steam indicator strips

A steam indicator strip is used in autoclaves to test the amount of steam in the autoclave during each cycle. The test indicator strip will tell you whether the cycle went normally, or if the autoclave needs adjustments.

I recommend: 3M offers compliance information on the types of steam indicator strips that need to be used in healthcare facilities.

Dry heat sterilizers

Dry heat sterilizers are used when steam heat will corrode or otherwise damage medical equipment that needs sterilization. Dry heat sterilizers are often used in dental and medical radiology.

I recommend: CPAC Imaging offers literature and user manuals for its dry heat sterilizers.