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Background: Although there is no consensus regarding the best skin disinfection technique, whatever antiseptic solution is used, the "prep and drape" portion of most upper extremity procedures requires the presence of at least one operative room assistant or scrub nurse to elevate and hold the hand and forearm. Nonetheless, especially in a busy hand surgery practice and during fast procedures, an operative room assistant or scrub nurse are frequently not available leading to a reduced time efficiency between procedures. Purpose: This article describes an innovative easy-to-use and hands-free device that helps the surgeon during disinfection of the skin and the setup of the surgical field by keeping elevated the upper limb with respect for tissues. Methods: The development of the surgical arm holder starts from three easily available and washable thermoplastic splint sheets 40 × 60 cm with 2.5 cm thickness. The final device measures 40 × 25 × 15 cm and is placed underneath the proximal third of the humerus in order to keep the upper limb suspended at about 10–15 cm from the operating table. A retrospective analysis of the "surgical malpractice claims" and institutional non-conformities registered in the period 2011–2020 was conducted in our Hospital looking for bone or soft tissue complications related to the use of the device. Results: Three thousand one hundred eighty-seven surgical procedures were performed between 2011 and 2020 using this device. The retrospective analysis of all "surgical malpractice claims" showed no skin lesions, no neurological complications (such as neuroapraxia), no need for secondary bone procedures or interference with the draping process. Conclusion: Our device proved to be a low-cost, easy to use and alternative solution helping surgeons during the disinfection phase, improving hospital pre-operative flow and reducing the need for other staff members to be engaged in holding the upper limb in the operating room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sterilization autoclaves are devices used to sterilize equipment and supplies; their users require a periodic determination of their performance to ensure that the required temperature is reached and maintained for the predefined time interval. Within the ENAC (Entidad Nacional de Acreditación, Spanish national accreditation body) Temperature and Humidity Technical Subcommittee, it was decided to carry out an inter-laboratory comparison on the characterization of sterilization autoclaves aiming to demonstrate the equivalence among the test procedures of the different participants. This paper presents the data processing and the results of this comparison that showed some discrepancies in the stability and uniformity measurements due to different parameter definitions and a probable underestimation of some uncertainty sources. The results show good agreement among the participants in the estimation of the set-point correction, while the estimation of the device stability and uniformity was not compatible in some cases. The use of wired or wireless sensors did not bias the results, but the laboratories that used pt-100 obtained results that underestimated the value of the thermal stability, probably due to their higher thermal mass and response time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is an effective disinfection method. In sterilization equipment, a low-pressure mercury lamp emitting an effective germicidal UVC (254 nm) is used as the light source. However, the lamp, which contains mercury, must be disposed of at the end of its lifetime or following damage due to physical shock or vibration. We investigated the suitability of an ultraviolet light-emitting diode at an output wavelength of 365 nm (UVA-LED) as a sterilization device, comparing with the other wavelength irradiation such as 254 nm (a low-pressure mercury lam) and 405 nm (LED). We used a commercially available UVA-LED that emitted light at the shortest wavelength and at the highest output energy. The new sterilization system using the UVA-LED was able to inactivate bacteria, such as Escherichia coli DH5 alpha, Enteropathogenic E. coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. The inactivations of the bacteria were dependent on the accumulation of UVA irradiation. Taking advantage of the safety and compact size of LED devices, we expect that the UVA-LED sterilization device can be developed as a new type of water sterilization device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The economic and environmental effects were compared between disposable and reusable instruments used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Special consideration was given to the processing of reusable instruments in the Miele G 7736 CD MCU washer disinfector and the resultant cost of sterilization.Methods: The instruments frequently used in their disposable form were identified with the help of surgeons. Thus, of all the instruments used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the disposable and reusable versions of trocars, scissors, and Veress cannula were compared.Results: For the case examined in this study, the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with disposable instruments was 19 times more expensive that for reusable instruments. The higher cost of using disposable instruments is primarily attributable to the purchase price of the instruments. The processing of reusable instruments has little significance in terms of cost, whereas the cost for disposing of disposable instruments is the least significant factor. The number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed per year does not substantially influence cost. In the authors' opinion, assessment of the environmental consequences shows that reusable instruments are environmentally advantageous.Conclusions: Considering the upward pressure of costs in hospitals, disposable instruments should be used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy only if they offer clear advantages over reusable instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: To determine the microbial content and endotoxin concentration in the water reservoirs of benchtop autoclaves used in general dental practice.Design: The study was done in two stages. Firstly water samples were taken daily from the reservoirs of 20 autoclaves used in general dental practices for six days. The microbial content and endotoxin concentration was determined. Second the practitioners were instructed to wash and clean the reservoirs of the autoclaves each morning prior to refilling with fresh water. The reservoirs were sampled in the evenings after a day's use and the microbial content and endotoxin concentration determined.Results: The total viable count of bacteria before cleaning varied from 2,300 - 8 x 10(4) cfu/ml and after from 0-40 cfu/ml. The endotoxin concentrations before cleaning varied from 360-2,200 EU/ml and after 0-80 EU/ml.Conclusions: The reservoirs of non-vacuum benchtop autoclaves can become severely contaminated with micro-organisms particularly Gram-negative bacteria. The endotoxin content of the reservoirs can get to high and unacceptable concentrations. Draining the water reservoir and cleaning on a daily basis reduces the microbial content and the endotoxin concentration to acceptable levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces several equipment and supplies for microbiology. Lid device for bacteria cultivation from Eppendorf; MBS1 filtration system from Schleir & Schuell; Steam sterilizer from Hotpack; HHV-8 ELISA antibody test kit from Advanced Biotechnologies.

The article offers brief information on the PeelVue+ sterilisation pouches from DUX Dental.

The article offers brief information on the Eurosonic 4D and 3D Ultrasonic Cleaners dental instrument steriliser from Euronda.

The article offers brief information on several infection control consumable products such as the Hydrim washer/disinfector and Statim autoclaves from Plandent AB.

The article offers information on Sident Dental Systems, which offers two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) digital and film based X-ray apparatus such as Galileos 3D digital cone-beam equipment and Sirona handpieces such as SiroLaser Advance and DAC Universal sterilization unit.

The article focuses on the announcement of the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) that vacuum sterilisers are not required in New Zealand due to lack of evidence that it would increase patient safety.

The article evaluates the Lisa 500 Series sterilizer ranges of vacuum sterilisers.

The article evaluates the Steelco Dental Washer Disinfectors and Getinge K-series tabletop sterilisers from Dental Services Direct.

The article evaluates the Dento-viractis 55 from Dental Sky.

The article features the Little Sister range from Eschman that offers easy to use and compliant equipment for all cleaning disinfection and sterilisation needs. Clients can buy products directly from the company with additional service and warranty. The Little Sister range of instrument washer disinfectors offer an option to vagaries of manual and ultrasonic cleaning. All Little Sisters use colour-coded trays to boost efficiency and organisation, and Hands Free instrument Transfer (HFiT).

The article evaluates the Getinge AB K-Series tabletop sterilizers.

The article evaluates the Getinge K-Series tabletop sterilisers from Trycare Dental Linkline.

The article evaluates Stanbridge Ltd.'s Practice 8 and Practice 10 bench-top sterilizers that are ideal for handling pouched dental instruments.

The article presents information on a new sterilizer Lisa 517 that will be displayed at the London Dental Showcase 2006 exhibition. The manufacturer of the equipment is manufacturer of dental handpieces W&H.

Reports on DB Orthodontics Ltd.'s introduction of its new DBO sterilization cassette range which is designed to secure and protect surgery instruments during the sterilization procedure. Application in dentistry; Other product features; Supplier's contact information.

Features Getinge's HS22 K Series tabletop sterilizer for dental equipment. Sterilization time; Easy operation of the equipment; Stainless steel water tank feature.

Features several dental products. Sensors used for monitoring toxic chemicals; Sterilizing kit for dental equipment; Silicone impression materials.