Shelf Life of Sterile Small Surgical Instruments Packaged in Double Linen Versus Plastic-paper Wraps

Authors

  • Wicha Bhumisirikul Department of Nursing and, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
  • Peinjit Bhumisirikul Department of Nursing and, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
  • Sawet Srisiri Department of Surgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
  • Vipaporn Duangsomkit Department of Nursing and, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
  • Paisal Pongchairerks Department of Surgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

Abstract

Background: In most operating theaters, unused sterile instruments have to be re-sterilized according to current practice protocols in order to guarantee that they are safe. Protocols of different institutions differ and they are hardly based on strong scientific evidence. Recently, the use of plastic-paper wrappers has been claimed to extend the sterility time significantly.

Objective: This study was aimed to compare safe sterility time of small stainless steel instruments packaged in plastic-paper versus linen wrappers.

Material and Methods: Two groups of orthopedic screws, each containing 360 screws, were sterilized by autoclaving at the same time and kept in an open shelf in the operating room. In Group 1, each screw was packaged in a double-wrapped linen pack. Screws in Group 2 were individually packaged in an inner wrap of paper and an outer plastics paper envelope commercially available. Group 3 served as control for the reliability of the microbiology laboratory. Twenty screws were picked up from each study group for up to 52 weeks and sent for biological culture. Two screws from Group 3 were also sent to the laboratory at the same time.

Results: Up to the study period of 52 weeks, no growth was cultured from any sample in Groups 1 and 2. All but 4 samples in Group 3 grew several bacteria.

Conclusion: For small metal instruments, autoclaved packages in double wrapped linen and in double wrapped plastic-paper combination could both be stored safely for at least 52 weeks in open shelves when the storage condition was favorable in operating rooms provided that the package remained intact. Current routine practice of re-sterilization might have to be revised.

References

1. Fuller JR. Principles of microbiology: Sterilization and disinfection. In: Surgical Technology: Principle and practice, 2nd ed., Fuller JR (Ed.), Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1986, 26-35.

2. Mallison GF, Standard PG. Safe storage times for sterile packs, Hospitals 1974; 48: 77-80.

3. Dyer ED, Snarr LD, Ford CR, Peterson DE, Mitchell CR. Bacteriologic study of muslin and parchment wrapped sterile supplies. Nursing Res 1966; 15: 79-80.

4. Atkinson LJ. Sterilization and disinfection. In: Introduction to operating room technique. 6th Ed., Atkinson LJ. and Kohn ML. (Editors). New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1986, 138-9.

5. Groah LK. Sterilization and disinfection. In: Operating room nursing: perioperative practice. 2nd ed., Groah LK (Ed.). Connecticut: Appleton & Lange; 1990, 175-99.

6. Standard PG, Mackel DC, Mallison GF. Microbial penetration of muslin- and paper-wrapped sterile packs stored on open shelves and in closed cabinets. Appl Microbiol 1971; 22: 432-7.

7. Standard PG, Mallison GF, Mackel DC. Microbial penetration through three types of double wrappers for sterile packs. Appl Microbiol 1973; 26:59-62.

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Published

2000-09-29

How to Cite

1.
Bhumisirikul W, Bhumisirikul P, Srisiri S, Duangsomkit V, Pongchairerks P. Shelf Life of Sterile Small Surgical Instruments Packaged in Double Linen Versus Plastic-paper Wraps. Thai J Surg [Internet]. 2000 Sep. 29 [cited 2024 May 6];21(3):101-4. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ThaiJSurg/article/view/243345

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2000): July - September

Section

Original Articles

License

Articles must be contributed solely to The Thai Journal of Surgery and when published become the property of the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand. The Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand reserves copyright on all published materials and such materials may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission.