| A | B |
|---|
| sterilants other than steam | dry heat, ETO, plasma vapor, liquid and ionizing radiation |
| Used for oils and powder | dry heat |
| advantages of dry heat | only method for powder and oils |
| disadvantage of dry heat | long time and variable with items |
| limitations for dry heat | item amount and depth |
| mechanical convection | fan with high heat |
| gravity convection | jacket heat with uneven distribution |
| time and temp of dry heat | 250 degrees for 6 hrs; 375 degrees for 6-12 min |
| ETO or EO | Ethylene Oxide |
| uses for ETO / EO | heat or moisture sensitive items |
| Dangers of ETO / EO | Toxic, explosive and can burn / vesicant |
| Parameters for ETO / EO | concentration, temp, humidity, time |
| advantages of ETO / EO | no film; automatic; permeates |
| main disadvantage of ETO / EO | gas needs aeration; may burn skin / membranes |
| concerns for using ETO / EO | dry items, EO safe cement on scopes |
| packaging concerns | mark "Gas only" |
| timing for ETC / EO | 5 hrs at 99degrees; 3 hours at 130 degrees |
| time for EO ambient aeration | 7 days |
| time for mechanical aeration | 8 to 12 hours for 120 to 140 degrees |
| biologic monitor | spore test to check for actual sterilization |
| ETO /EO biologic monitor | Bacillus Subtilis |
| Bacillus Subtilis | run with each ETO / EO load |
| Plasma Vapor sterilization | uses Hydrogen Peroxide |
| Microwave sterilization | rarely used |
| microwave disadvantage | one instrument only |
| ionizing radiation | x-rays |
