DETERMINATION OF RESIDUAL ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZATION PROCESSES AT LOW TEMPERATURE IN SMARCH BANDAGES"

CIANCHINO VALERIA; ; HENESTROSA,CECILIA;; WANG, CHAN; GETTE, MARÍA

Praga

Congreso; World Sterilization Congress of the World Forum for Hospital Sterile Supply (WFHSS).; 2014

Introduction: Among the methods used for sterilization, the chemical method is considered as an important alternative to ensure the sterility of thermolabile materials. The use of ethylene oxide gas (OE) as a chemical sterilant, is based on its ability to inactivate microorganisms on medical devices used for its high penetrating power. Direct contact between body tissues and the Smarch band that holds waste OE (OEr) can cause the formation of skin lesions, irritation, burns or allergic dermatitis and other conditions; which requires the removal of waste generated during the process.Objective: The aim of this paper is to propose a simple, inexpensive, robust, reproducible and rapid method for the determination of OEr.Methods: The samples (bandages Smarch) were subjected to full sterilization process and subsequent aeration, and immediately analyzed.OEr extraction was performed directly on the material, with acidified distilled water at 98 ° C ± 2 ° C , for 60 minutes to ensure formaldehyde EO hydrolysis, and subsequently quantified at 580 nm by visible spectroscopy based on the reaction between chromotropic acid and formaldehyde.Under current rules, the permissible value of OEr is less than 0.1 g/cm2, these studies pointed to the OEr concentration does not cause harm to the patient.Results and conclusion: The results showed the presence of more than 0.1 g/cm2 OEr in the samples, indicating the importance of extending the aeration time to determine a concentration of less than the allowable limit OEr