Cordyceps Sterilization: How to Kill “The Last of Us” Parasite Written by: Arthur Trapotsis In HBO’s recent adaptation of “The Last of Us,” a popular action-adventure video game, life as we know it is upended by a parasitic fungus that transforms its human hosts into zombies. The culprit? Cordyceps, a real-life genus of fungus which is best known for infecting insects (most famously ants) in much the same manner […] Tweet Like Share
Top 13 Sterile Processing Mistakes in Hospitals Written by: Arthur Trapotsis When it comes to ensuring patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) is among the last lines of defense. It’s this department’s sole responsibility to make sure that reusable instruments and devices are properly decontaminated, sterilized, and ultimately safe to use in future procedures — protecting patients from […] Tweet Like Share
Sterilization vs. High-Level and Low-Level Disinfection [a 3-Point Comparison] Written by: Arthur Trapotsis In a 1939 paper, microbiologist Earle H. Spaulding introduced a system for determining which medical devices and instruments needed disinfection and which ones required sterilization. In it, he proposed that critical instruments would need to be subjected to more stringent disinfection protocols than non-critical patient care items. Today, this framework is fittingly known as Spaulding […] Tweet Like Share
What Is Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilization? Written by: Arthur Trapotsis Hydrogen peroxide has long been used in the healthcare industry, and in the 1970s its vapor form became a low temperature sterilization technique that has only increased in popularity. In this article, we’ll explain how the hydrogen peroxide sterilization process works, including important federal guidelines to be aware of and potential challenges. What Is Low […] Tweet Like Share
7 Best Practices for Hospital Infection Control Written by: Arthur Trapotsis In the fight against infection, healthcare facilities have many preventative measures at their disposal. Together, these best practices form an infection control policy that aims to create safe environments in which patients can heal and recover after surgeries and other procedures. Read on to find out what they are and why each is important. What […] Tweet Like Share
The Top 9 Challenges Sterile Processing Departments Face Written by: Arthur Trapotsis There’s a reason why Sterile Processing Departments (SPDs) are often referred to as “the heart of the hospital.” This is where all of a healthcare facility’s soiled surgical instruments and other devices go for cleaning and sterilization, ensuring they’ll be ready to use during future procedures. Additionally, the SPD plays a crucial role in maintaining […] Tweet Like Share
4 Key Impacts of Sterile Processing in Hospitals and ASCs Written by: Arthur Trapotsis In hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), sterile processing — the cleaning and sterilizing of soiled surgical instruments and other medical devices — is one of the most important functions for patient care. This process is so integral to the day-to-day operations of surgical facilities that many have dedicated sterile processing departments (SPDs) to ensure […] Tweet Like Share
4 Ways Technology Improves Patient Care in Hospitals & ASCs Written by: Arthur Trapotsis When you think about patient care, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s a team of doctors coming up with a course of treatment or a clinician providing emotional support for patients. While treatment plans and a warm bedside manner are both important, patient care encompasses much more. Today, technology plays an important part in providing […] Tweet Like Share
Medical Device Sterilization: 4 Alternatives to Ethylene Oxide Written by: Arthur Trapotsis With thanks to Emily Lorcheim of ClorDiSys Solutions for her contributions. Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is the man-made chemical that’s responsible for sterilizing roughly half of the medical equipment used in the U.S. today. The popularity of EtO as a sterilizing agent stems from its versatility — it’s compatible with a wide range of materials, highly […] Tweet Like Share
Autoclaves for Orthopedic Surgery: Best Practices to Follow Written by: Arthur Trapotsis In order to ensure patient safety and achieve successful surgical outcomes, orthopedic surgery centers (OSCs) need to sterilize all equipment — including implants — before use. As demand for total joint surgeries and outpatient procedures increases, so, too, does the total volume of implants, instruments, and other equipment that requires processing. Steam sterilization is one […] Tweet Like Share
10.21.24 How to Start an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) → If you’re a physician who’s considering opening their own ambulatory surgery center (ASC), you’re in good company. MCG Health reports that, of the 5,800 ASCs on record in the U.S. in 2023, 95% were at least partially physician owned and 52% were solely physician owned. The incentives for physicians are clear: ASCs offer greater autonomy […]
10.15.24 The Different Types of Autoclaves [& How to Choose the Right One] → Steam sterilizers — also known as autoclaves — are an essential piece of equipment in any laboratory, research, or healthcare setting, ensuring sterility for important equipment and instruments. Autoclaves are available in a wide array of designs, each tailored for specific applications, ranging from small-scale laboratory sterilization to large-volume industrial processes. Choosing the right autoclave […]
9.30.24 Horizontal vs. Vertical Autoclaves: 6 Key Differences and Benefits → If you’re looking for a new autoclave for your facility, chances are you’ve considered several options during your search for the right one. When it comes to the question of whether a vertical or horizontal autoclave is the right fit for your lab or medical facility, understanding their key differences is crucial. To help you […]
