autoclave tape

What is the autoclave tape , plasma indicator and chemical integrator?

Introduction Sterilization is the process of killing all microorganisms (bacterial, viral, and fungal) with the use of either physical or chemical agents. A disinfectant is a chemical substance that kills
microorganisms on inanimate objects, such as exam tables and surgical instruments. An antiseptic is a chemical that is applied to a living body to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Hand sanitizers are antiseptics. Asepsis is the absence of harmful microorganisms in living tissue. Skin can never be completely sterile. The inside of the body contains no bacteria and is referred to as aseptic.

Contamination is what occurs when there is a break in sterility or asepsis. Contamination allows microorganisms to enter a surgical site. Sterilization of chemical integrator items used to perform surgery is a major factor in maintaining asepsis during surgery. Brief History of Sterilization In the late 1860s, Louis Pasteur, a French chemist, proved that bacteria were a cause of disease in humans and animals. He also developed the process of pasteurization which uses heat to kill microorganisms maintaining a sterile plasma indicator field of operation reduces the chance of infection. 298 Chapter 13 – Sterilization & Disinfection in milk. His theories led Joseph Lister, an English surgeon, to eve lop “antiseptic technique” for performing surgery. Aseptic veterinary surgery began to be practiced in the 1940s. The use of surgical gowns, caps, masks, autoclave tape and gloves became routine in the 1960s. Microorganisms and Infection Wound infection is a common post-operative complication and dependent on numerous factors. Maintaining a sterile operating field is the factor the veterinarian and veterinary staff has the most control over. A surgical patient will never be completely sterile. There will always be bacteria present.
However, a critical number of bacteria are required to cause an infection. This number is 105 microorganisms per gram (100,000 organisms/g) of tissue or milliliter of fluid. As long as bacterial numbers do not exceed this number, the normal immune defenses of the body can prevent infection. The goal of asepsis is to prevent the addition of bacteria to the surgical site. Methods of chemical integrator Sterilization Exposure to harmful microorganisms can be prevented by utilizing the correct sterilization methods. Though they are invisible to the naked eye, organisms capable of causing infection are everywhere. Sterile plasma indicator bandages, instruments, and equipment are necessary for preventing infection in animals receiving veterinary care. Steam The use of steam under pressure is most commonly used by veterinary hospitals to sterilize items. The three factors that dictate the success of steam sterilization are temperature, autoclave tape , pressure and exposure time. Increasing pressure of steam in a closed container causes the temperature of the steam to rise. When microbes are exposed to the correct temperature and pressure for the right amount of time, they are destroyed and the items they were on become sterile. The device used for steam sterilization is called an autoclave. The minimum time, temperature, and pressure required to
sterilize items is 10 minutes at 275 F or 15 minutes at 250 F and 15 pounds per square inch of pressure. Heat sterilizer. The use of surgical gowns, caps, masks, and gloves inhibits the spread of harmful bacteria. Chapter 13 -Sterilization & Disinfection 299 Chemical (Gas) Some items will be
destroyed when exposed to the temperatures and pressures required for steam chemical integrator sterilization. These items include plastics, power cables and endoscopes.
Ethylene oxide is a gas that can be used to sterilize these types of items. Exposure to the gas at under appropriate conditions results in chemical integrator sterility. Ethylene oxide is flammable, carcinogenic, can cause numerous health problems and is environmentally harmful. Use of it is strictly regulated. plasma indicator A safer method of sterilizing heat-sensitive items is plasma sterilization.

This method uses reactive ions, electrons and neutrons to sterilize items in about 45 minutes at temperatures as low as 122 F. Ionizing Radiation Most prepackaged sterile items like surgical gloves and suture packets have been sterilized with ionizing radiation. Exposure of these items to a radioactive source, such as cobalt 60, destroys microorganisms. This autoclave tape processes expensive and limited to commercial use. Cold Chemical Cold chemical sterilization is a common and inexpensive method of sterilizing items that cannot be exposed to steam sterilization. The most common chemical used is glutaraldehyde. A 2 % glutaraldehyde solution is noncorrosive to metal and delicate equipment like endoscopes. Immersion times in the solution vary depending on the item. Items should be thoroughly rinsed with sterile water prior to being used on a patient.