Ethylene Oxide Sterilization in Large Facilities Vs Small Facilities
Ethylene oxide (EO) gas is used to sterilize healthcare equipment. Though steam can be used to sanitize medical products, EO is more practical because it works at a low temperate (51°F), so it can sanitize items that the high temperature of steam would damage. EO is also efficient because it can penetrate cartons, containers, blisters, and bags, going through all membranes, to eliminate microorganisms from every part of the product.
Uses
EO gas disinfects many types of materials and products. It can be used on virtually every medical device from surgical instruments, stents, catheters, wound care dressings, pre-filled syringes, and synthetic gowns. Even more advanced equipment with electronics such as internal defibrillator paddles or pacemakers can be sanitized with EO gas.
The Process
The process of sterilizing products with EO is slightly different depending on the size of your facility and the size of your EO device.
The Process in a Large Facility
In a large facility, items are placed on pallets or in large boxes that go into a large chamber much like a large shipping container. Some items will be wrapped or boxed to protect them from the steam cycle. Once the items are inside, the door is closed and the air is vacuumed out of the chamber. Because temperature and humidity are important factors for EO to work, the chamber is then steamed to the appropriate level. Then EO gas is injected into the chamber. The sterilization cycle typically lasts several hours allowing the EO to permeate all the materials.
Once the cycle is finished the EO is flushed out and the chamber is brought back to atmospheric pressure. Then a test will be done to check that the sterilization was successful. The items will be removed from the chamber and placed in a separate chamber to aerate.
The Process in a Small Facility
In a small facility, such as a hospital's surgical unit, EO sterilization devices range from about the size of a small oven to the size of a refrigerator. The first step in sterilizing the items is to follow your facility's protocol for wrapping items that will be damaged by steam. Once the items are prepped accordingly, place them in a new sterilizing bag. In the bag, you will also need to include a humidity stabilizer, a dosimeter that indicates whether the cycle was successful, and lastly, the gas cartridge.
Place the vacuum probe into the bag and seal it off. Purge the bag of air, then activate the gas cartridge through the closed bag. Close the device door and use the necessary cycle for the items you've chosen. Intricate plastic items need a longer sterilization time so for longer cycles, you will need to use additional humidity stabilizers and gas cartridges per the model's directions.
After the cycle is complete, wait for the ventilation time to end. Remove the vacuum probe, discard the gas container and the humidity stabilizer, and read the dosimeter to see if the sterilization cycle was successful.
When using EO sterilization devices always be aware of the variables that will affect the outcome. Be sure to follow your device's instructions to closely monitor gas concentration, humidity, temperature, and the EO dwell time.
To learn more about EO device sterilization, contact a supplier near you.