Sterilization & Disinfection
AAMI advice on Class 6 indicators
Recommendations for Class 6 emulating indicators, a new class of indicator for monitoring sterilization, have been issued for the first time by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). These indicators, which entered the market a couple of years ago, use a different approach than biological indicators (BI).…
Managing manufacturers' instructions
Why do we so often see the statement, "use in accordance with manufacturer's instructions" in sterilization and disinfection standards and guidelines? That advice is in recommendations from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), and the Centers for Disease Control and…
What is role of the Class 6 indicator?
With a new type of sterilization monitor, the Class 6 emulating indicator, on the market, managers are asking how the new device fits into their sterilization quality assurance programs. Two companies recently had Class 6 indicators cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for sale in the US: Steris Corp…
A mighty weapon: Steam sterilization
In the war against microbes, one of the mightiest weapons is the steam sterilizer. Steam, considered the ideal sterilant, is recommended for sterilizing devices that are heat and moisture stable. Steam is nontoxic, readily available, and low in cost relative to other technologies. With the exception of prions, the particles…
Food for thought: Flash sterilization
Just run it up before the case." "Flash it." "Put it in the flash sterilizer." These are all phrases you hear in the OR. It has become increasingly clear to me that there is confusion about the words flash, flash sterilization, flash cycle, and flash sterilizer. There is general agreement…
New Class 6 indicator monitors steam cycles
There's a new type of sterilization indicator on the block—the Class 6 emulating indicator. Steris recently received 510k clearance from the Food and Drug Administration to market the first Class 6 chemical indicators for steam sterilization in the US. The indicators are being sold under the brand name Verify SixCess.…
Brushing up on use of chemical indicators
When should chemical indicators (CIs) be used? What's the difference between an indicator and an integrator? What's the role of CIs in load release? OR Manager posed frequently asked questions to Cynthia Spry, RN, MA, MSN, CNOR, cochair of the working group that recently issued a comprehensive update to the…
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