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Method of sterilizing medical instruments

Abstract

A pressure cleaning vessel is connected to a vacuum chamber by way of a connecting pipe in the
sterilizing and cleaning equipment that utilizes a supercritical fluid. The objects to be treated are
impregnated, for a given period, in the supercritical fluid with which the pressure cleaning vessel
has been filled. Thereafter, the connection between the pressure vessel and the vacuum chamber
is opened so as to generate sudden bubbling within the vessel as a result of a large pressure
difference. Thorough sterilization is achieved at the time when the supercritical fluid having
penetrated into bacteria and viruses suddenly explodes and destroys these organisms instantly by
vaporization and expansion.

1. A method of sterilizing objects utilizing a supercritical fluid, comprising the steps of: (1)
connecting a pressure cleaning vessel and a vacuum chamber to each other by way of at
least one connecting pipe carrying said supercritical fluid; (2) impregnating the objects to
be sterilized, for a given period, in said supercritical fluid with which said pressure
cleaning vessel has been filled; and (3) thereafter opening the connection between said
pressure cleaning vessel and said vacuum chamber so as to generate sudden bubbling
within said vessel as a result of a pressure difference; wherein thorough sterilization is
achieved when said supercritical fluid having penetrated into bacteria and viruses
explodes and destroys these organisms instantly by its power of vaporization and
expansion; and wherein finish cleaning work is also achieved at the same time by the
cleaning action of said supercritical fluid.

2. A method of sterilizing objects utilizing a supercritical fluid, comprising the steps of:
(1) providing an opening in a ceiling of a pressure cleaning vessel; (2) impregnating the
objects to be sterilized, for a given period, in said supercritical fluid with which said
pressure cleaning vessel has been filled; (3) thereafter releasing the supercritical fluid
fully through said opening in the ceiling of said pressure cleaning vessel, so as to
generate sudden bubbling within said vessel as a result of a pressure difference; wherein
thorough sterilization is achieved when said supercritical fluid having penetrated into
bacteria and viruses explodes and destroys these organisms instantly by its power of
vaporization and expansion; and wherein finish cleaning work is also achieved at the
same time by the cleaning action of said supercritical fluid.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said objects are documents, letters or
stationary.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said objects are documents, letters or
stationary.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said objects are contaminated by SARS
virus or touched by a person contaminated by SARS virus.
6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said objects are contaminated by SARS
virus or touched by a person contaminated by SARS virus.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said objects are contaminated by spore-
forming bacteria.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said objects are contaminated by spore-
forming bacteria.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein said spore-forming bacteria are exosporium-
covered Bacillus subtislis or Bacillus anthracis.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein said spore-forming bacteria are
exosporium-covered Bacillus subtislis or Bacillus anthracis.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said thorough sterilization is achieved at a
temperature more than about 80.degree. C.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein said thorough sterilization is achieved at a
temperature more than about 80.degree. C.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein cleaning action is performed by the forced
agitation of liquefied gas after the vaporization and expansion of said supercritical fluid.

14. The method according to claim 2, wherein cleaning action is performed by the forced
agitation of liquefied gas after the vaporization and expansion of said supercritical fluid.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning action is performed by the
bubbling generated when the supercritical fluid, which is supercritical to a relatively
higher extent than the supercritical fluid inside the pressure cleaning vessel, is introduced
into said pressure vessel through its bottom.

16. The method according to claim 2, wherein said cleaning action is performed by the
bubbling generated when the supercritical fluid, which is supercritical to a relatively
higher extent than the supercritical fluid inside the pressure cleaning vessel, is introduced
into said pressure vessel through its bottom.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said objects are medical appliances, dental
materials and metal objects configured to be inserted into a body of a patient.

18. The method according to claim 2, wherein said objects are medical appliances, dental
materials and metal objects configured to be inserted into a body of a patient.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein said objects are contaminated by SARS
virus, HIV virus or West Nile virus or touched by a person contaminated by SARS virus,
 HIV virus or West Nile virus.

20. The method according to claim 2, wherein said objects are contaminated by SARS
virus, HIV virus or West Nile virus or touched by a person contaminated by SARS virus,
HIV virus or West Nile virus.

Safe handling of chemotherapy in the perioperative setting.

Mellinger E, Skinker L, Sears D, Gardner D, Shult P.

University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ, USA.

Abstract

Safe handling of chemotherapeutic agents during administration and disposal is critical. Most
antineoplastic agents are toxic compounds that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic.
Direct contact may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Perioperative
personnel should know how to handle hazardous materials safely to protect the patient, other
staff members, and themselves. These safety precautions include appropriately identifying the
patient; correctly preparing, verifying, and documenting the chemotherapeutic agents being
administered; consistently wearing personal protective equipment; transporting the
chemotherapeutic agent in a puncture-resistant container labeled "chemotherapy"; properly
disposing of the chemotherapeutic agent and supplies; and handling a spill if one occurs.
Copyright 2010 AORN, Inc.
Increase in sharps injuries in surgical settings versus nonsurgical settings
after passage of national needlestick legislation.

Jagger J, Berguer R, Phillips EK, Parker G, Gomaa AE.

University of Virginia, International Healthcare Worker Safety Center, Charlottesville, VA

22903, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The operating room is a high-risk setting for occupational sharps injuries and bloodborne
pathogen exposure. The requirement to provide safety-engineered devices, mandated by the
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000, has received scant attention in surgical settings.
STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed percutaneous injury surveillance data from 87 hospitals in the
United States from 1993 through 2006, comparing injury rates in surgical and nonsurgical
settings before and after passage of the law. We identified devices and circumstances associated
with injuries among surgical team members. RESULTS: Of 31,324 total sharps injuries, 7,186
were to surgical personnel. After the legislation, injury rates in nonsurgical settings dropped
31.6%, but increased 6.5% in surgical settings. Most injuries were caused by suture needles
(43.4%), scalpel blades (17%), and syringes (12%). Three-quarters of injuries occurred during
use or passing of devices. Surgeons and residents were most often original users of the injury-
causing devices; nurses and surgical technicians were typically injured by devices originally used
by others. CONCLUSIONS: Despite legislation and advances in sharps safety technology,
surgical injuries continued to increase during the period that nonsurgical injuries decreased
significantly. Hospitals should comply with requirements for the adoption of safer surgical
technologies, and promote policies and practices shown to substantially reduce blood exposures
to surgeons, their coworkers, and patients. Although decisions affecting the safety of the surgical
team lie primarily in the surgeon's hands, there are also roles for administrators, educators, and
policy makers. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Latest
Updates in The
Operating
Room as of
July 2010
Submitted by:
Mary Luthes M. Falome
Submitted to:
Mrs. Marietta Mercado, RN, MAN.