Tables and Figure: Table 11

Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008)

Comparative evaluation of the microbicidal activity of low-temperature sterilization technology of carriers sterilized by various low-temperature sterilization technologies (based on tests of inoculated carriers in lab setting)
Sterilization problems and effectiveness of 6 technologies.
Challenge Ethylene Oxide 12/88 100% Ethylene Oxide HCFC – Ethylene Oxide Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma 100 Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma 100S Peracetic Acid Reference
No salt or serum1 100% 100% 96% 100% No Data No Data Alfa 721
10% serum and 0.65% salt2 97% 60% 95% 37% No Data No Data Alfa 721
Lumen (125 cm long × 3 mm wide) without serum or salt1 No Data 96% 96% No Data No Data No Data Alfa 721
Lumen (125 cm long × 3 mm wide) with 10% serum and 0.65% salt2 44% 40% 49% 35% No Data 100%1 Alfa 721
Lumen (40 cm long × 3 mm wide)3 ND ND 100% 95% 100% 8% Rutala 856
Lumen (40 cm long × 2 mm wide)3 ND ND 100% 93% 100% No Data Rutala 856
Lumen (40 cm long × 1 mm wide)3 ND ND 100% 26% 100% No Data Rutala 856
Lumen (40 cm long × 3 mm wide)4 ND ND 100% 100% 100% No Data Rutala 856
Modified from Rutala. 825

HCFC hydrochlorofluorocarbon

1 Test organisms included Enterococcus faecalisMycobacterium chelonae, and Bacillus atrophaeus spores.

2 Test organisms included E. faecalisP. aeruginosaE. coliM. chelonaeB. atrophaeus spores, G. stearothermophilusspores, and B. circulans spores.

3 Test organism was G. stearothermophilus spores. The lumen test units had a removable 5 cm center piece (1.2 cm diameter) of stainless steel sealed to the narrower steel tubing by hard rubber septums.

4 Test organism was G. stearothermophilus spores. The lumen test unit was a straight stainless steel tube.