{"title":"Surgical implant sterilization in the Asia–Pacific region: A survey of current practices","authors":"Wing Hong Seto, Patricia Tai Yin Ching","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.02.006","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Healthcare-acquired infections are frequently linked to contaminated medical devices such as inadequately sterilized surgical devices, especially surgical implants. To prevent inadequate medical equipment sterilization, various health organizations (eg, World Health Organization) have provided guidance on best practices related to the sterilization monitoring practices of implant-containing loads.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A survey of sterilization practices, including practices related to monitoring implant-containing loads, at facilities from seven countries in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) and three countries in the Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) was conducted to assess alignment with health organization guidelines and to elucidate factors impacting sterilization practices.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Workload distribution was selected by 47 % of respondents when asked what had changed over the past year. Overall, 21 % of respondents were not monitoring each implant-containing load with a PCD (Process Challenge Device) containing a BI (Biological Indicator) with a Type-5 Chemical Indicator (CI), and 27 % of respondents had seen an implant load released prior to receiving BI results. Twenty-nine percent (29 %) of respondents had no placement guide for CIs when used in multi-level trays. Lastly, 43 % of respondents routinely performed immediate use system sterilization (IUSS), which commonly involved loaner instruments.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The results of this survey study indicate that inappropriate PCD usage in implant loads and frequent IUSS are challenges for some facilities in SEAR and WPR countries. Regional collaboration to produce consensus documents and educational programs may help develop strategies to standardize practice of implant load monitoring and loaner instruments. Thus, a consortium to initiate education programs for SEAR and WPR countries would be worthwhile.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"30 3","pages":"Pages 203-210"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Infection Disease & Health","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468045125000082","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Healthcare-acquired infections are frequently linked to contaminated medical devices such as inadequately sterilized surgical devices, especially surgical implants. To prevent inadequate medical equipment sterilization, various health organizations (eg, World Health Organization) have provided guidance on best practices related to the sterilization monitoring practices of implant-containing loads.
Methods
A survey of sterilization practices, including practices related to monitoring implant-containing loads, at facilities from seven countries in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) and three countries in the Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) was conducted to assess alignment with health organization guidelines and to elucidate factors impacting sterilization practices.
Results
Workload distribution was selected by 47 % of respondents when asked what had changed over the past year. Overall, 21 % of respondents were not monitoring each implant-containing load with a PCD (Process Challenge Device) containing a BI (Biological Indicator) with a Type-5 Chemical Indicator (CI), and 27 % of respondents had seen an implant load released prior to receiving BI results. Twenty-nine percent (29 %) of respondents had no placement guide for CIs when used in multi-level trays. Lastly, 43 % of respondents routinely performed immediate use system sterilization (IUSS), which commonly involved loaner instruments.
Conclusions
The results of this survey study indicate that inappropriate PCD usage in implant loads and frequent IUSS are challenges for some facilities in SEAR and WPR countries. Regional collaboration to produce consensus documents and educational programs may help develop strategies to standardize practice of implant load monitoring and loaner instruments. Thus, a consortium to initiate education programs for SEAR and WPR countries would be worthwhile.
期刊介绍:
The journal aims to be a platform for the publication and dissemination of knowledge in the area of infection and disease causing infection in humans. The journal is quarterly and publishes research, reviews, concise communications, commentary and other articles concerned with infection and disease affecting the health of an individual, organisation or population. The original and important articles in the journal investigate, report or discuss infection prevention and control; clinical, social, epidemiological or public health aspects of infectious disease; policy and planning for the control of infections; zoonoses; and vaccination related to disease in human health. Infection, Disease & Health provides a platform for the publication and dissemination of original knowledge at the nexus of the areas infection, Disease and health in a One Health context. One Health recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. One Health encourages and advances the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines-working locally, nationally, and globally-to achieve the best health for people, animals, and our environment. This approach is fundamental because 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, or spread from animals. We would be expected to report or discuss infection prevention and control; clinical, social, epidemiological or public health aspects of infectious disease; policy and planning for the control of infections; zoonosis; and vaccination related to disease in human health. The Journal seeks to bring together knowledge from all specialties involved in infection research and clinical practice, and present the best work in this ever-changing field. The audience of the journal includes researchers, clinicians, health workers and public policy professionals concerned with infection, disease and health.