Main Articles

15.02.2019
Main Article

Comparative assessment of the effects of process parameters as well as of detergents on PTFE channels with regard to automated reprocessing of flexible endoscopes

The cleaning of PTFE tubes or the working channels of flexible endoscopes in washer-disinfectors (EWD), especially in the limit range of the protein elimination currently considered acceptable, has hardly been studied so far. In order to test and evaluate both the cleaning effect of... more

14.02.2019
Main Article
Matías Pilasi Pendás

Testing integrating indicators in the RUMED

I would like to make some comments about information received referring tests that are sometimes done for chemical indicators in Hospitals Reprocessing Units for Medical Devices (RUMED), also known as CSSDs. These tests have been carried out on chemical integrating indicators (type 5)... more

Congress Reports

WFHSS Congress in Mexico at the AMPE – El Día de los Muertos

WFHSS held in Mexico City from 31 October to 3 November 2018 Why do people travel to international congresses? Because they want to think beyond the limits of their own experiences and are eager to explore new horizons. That is also the case when it comes to medical device reprocessing,... more

Investigation of sterilization processes in healthcare institutions in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Authors:
T. Suvd-Erdene (1,4), T. Gantumur (1,4), W. Popp (2,4), N. Parohl ( 2,4*), C. Battogtokh (3)
Medclean LLC (1), HyKoMed GmbH (2), Mongolian National University of Medical Science (3), Mongolian Emergency Service Hospital Hygiene Project (MeshHp) (4)

Abstract: The high prevalence of hepatitis B and C in the Mongolian population is imputed not least to inadequate reprocessing of the medical devices used. For the purpose of the current study conducted in 77 healthcare institutions in Mongolia, 105 autoclaves, three ethylene oxide (EO) sterilizers, one formaldehyde (FO) and one plasma (H2O2) sterilizer were investigated with biological indicators. 8 % of the autoclaves and two of the three EO sterilizers showed unsatisfactory performance. The H2O2 and FO sterilizers tested inactivated the biological indicators. Of the autoclaves, the older Russian models produced better results than the modern sterilizers from China and Korea. That may be due to the long experience with the old Russian appliances, which have no pre-vacuum, unlike with the more complex modern sterilizers. Thermologgers were used for the first time (in Mongolia) for measurement of physical parameters such as pressure, holding time and temperature. The findings indicate that inadequate reprocessing of medical devices may impact the high colonization rates with hepatitis viruses in Mongolia.

Rapid enzymatic test system for the overall process efficacy of automated washer-disinfector processes for thermolabile endoscopes

Authors:
Markus Wehrl*1, Amelie Achten1
(1 wfk-Cleaning Technology Institute e.V., Krefeld)

Abstract:
Background: Process challenge devices (PCDs) according to Annex 9 of the Guideline are used for the process control of the overall reprocessing efficacy for thermolabile endoscopes. The analysis of these PCDs is sophisticated and requires a microbiological laboratory. These PCDs are therefore not appropriate for routine controls in central sterile departments.