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Table 1 Effectiveness of sterilization inside the Steriset Container on the gravity cycle

From: A case study of a real-time evaluation of the risk of disease transmission associated with a failure to follow recommended sterilization procedures

Autoclave run

Full autoclave load (# Steriset Containers)

Integrator accepted, no. (%)

Biological indicator ( Geobacillus stearothermophilus) killed, no. (%)

Clostridium difficile spores killed, no. (%)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus killed, no. (%)

1

No (1)

1 (100)

1 (100)

1 (100)

1 (100)

2

Yes (12)

1 (8)

12 (100)

3 (100)

3 (100)

3

Yes (10)

0 (0)

10 (100)

10 (100)*

10 (100)*

4

Yes (10)

0 (0)**

10 (100)

6 (100)

6 (100)

5

Yes (9)

0 (0)**

9 (100)

3 (100)

3 (100)

Total

 

2/42 (5)

42/42 (100)

23/23 (100)

23/23 (100)

  1. *For this run, C. difficile spores and MRSA were placed both in the center of the Steriset Container and in corners of the containers with complete killing of the organisms in all locations.
  2. **Several of the integrators had black lines present that indicated melting of the steam chemical integrator pellet, but heat and steam conditions were not sufficient to cause melting such that the integrator would be accepted.