Classes
Just about sterilization: liquid chemical sterilization
by Anne Burke, R.N., B.S.
(Permission to use this article granted to M. Koopman, Infection Control Nurse, from the author, Anne Burke)
(Permission to use this article granted to M. Koopman, Infection Control Nurse, from the author, Anne Burke)
A liquid chemical sterilizer using peracetic acid as the biocide has been in use since 1988. Offered as an alternative to ETO for sterilizing heat-sensitive devices, it also gained acceptance as a replacement for glutaraldehyde soaks in the OR.
The desire for a more rapid reprocessing time for heat-sensitive devices led to the expanded use of high-level disinfection since the time involved was much less than with the use of ETO. While high-level disinfection may kill most microorganisms, bacterial spores will not be eliminated without extended exposure times. Sterilization provides a higher standard of care and margin of safety not found with high-level disinfection methods.
Next: Characteristics of Peracetic Acid