Können chemische Indikatoren die Sterilisiermitteldosis bestimmen, die bei der Sterilisation mit verdampftem Wasserstoffperoxid (VH2O2) an Instrumentensets abgegeben wird? Vorläufige Studienergebnisse.

Vaporised hydrogen peroxide sterilization (VH2O2) can be used to sterilize medical devices. Sterilization processes can be monitored using physical, biological and chemical indicators (CIs). An acceptable Sterility Assurance Level is achieved by exposure to specified parameters of each process variable eg 134oC for 3min in steam sterilization. Alternatively, a prescribed dose, an integration of intensity of sterilizing agent and time, is applied; an approach used in radiation sterilization. In steam sterilization Fo is also used to express an equivalent heating time at 121.1oC. Fo is a measure of the “dose” applied, temperature being an expression of “intensity” of the sterilizing agent, moist heat. In VH2O2 sterilization the area beneath the H2O2 concentration curve is integrated and expressed as a dose with dimensions mg∙s/L, concentration representing the “intensity” of the microbicidal agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]