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Biomedical subjects

K E HUGHES

Publications and source records attributed to K E HUGHES.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1965

THE CLEANING OF INSTRUMENTS AND SYRINGES.

The dangers to the handler of syringes used for routine injections were found to be negligible, but known infected syringes and those contaminated with antibiotics should be autoclaved before handling as a high proportion of these carry pathogenic organisms. Mechanical methods of cleaning syringes and instruments are assessed. The use of an artificial soil for testing purposes is described. Using this soil, ultrasonics by themselves are inadequate for cleaning syringes and instruments. Agitation with ultrasonics is essential for syringes, but is insufficient for instruments. Detergents are therefore an essential adjunct to the cleaning process. For syringes Pyroneg proved to be the most satisfactory, particularly if they had been previously siliconized. The best detergent for instruments contaminated with these types of soil was Penesolve 814 at a temperature of 95 degrees C. but the instruments must be adequately rinsed after this treatment. A number of other detergents and cleaning agents are discussed.

Detergents↗
PubMed1964

SURVEY ON PREVACUUM HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM STERILIZERS.

None of the 10 prevacuum high-pressure sterilizers of different makes tested was able to produce and maintain the conditions advocated by the Medical Research Council working party on high-pressure steam sterilizers (1959) or by Knox and Penikett (1958) with the result that steam did not penetrate adequately the single challenge load and it was not sterilized. The sterilization of ;group drums' of various sizes and contents was erratic and tended to give operators a false sense of security. An alarming number of minor engineering faults were present in seven out of 10 machines tested and they require very much more skilled maintenance than is being given at the moment. The possibility of centralizing sterilizers to central sterile supply departments and placing them under the care of a regional engineer cannot be too highly recommended. The presence of undetected ;leaks' and a failure to draw a prevacuum of 20 mm. even with a steam burst interferes with sterilization of a challenge load. A leak test should be performed twice daily and should not exceed more than 1 mm. in one minute at 20 mm. absolute. The centre of the load should be monitored by crossed tapes or Brownes tubes in each sterilizing cycle. Although the challenge load was sterilized when the chamber was filled to capacity, a more reliable cycle consisting of a double prevacuum of 20 mm. or more with intermediate steam burst to 10 lb. ensured the sterilizing of a single challenge load, which could be adequately controlled by the chamber drain temperature.

Engineering↗
PubMed1963

EN VITESSE.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1961

Sterilization by dry heat.

The advantages and disadvantages of three forms of dry heat sterilization are discussed. In addition a fourth method, consisting of heating by infrared rays in vacuo, is described. This method is particularly suitable for instruments used in the operating theatre, since it can replace an autoclave where a supply of steam is not available. Recommended times and temperatures for dry heat sterilization are detailed, and are related to the thermal death point of Cl. tetani. The dangers of recontamination during the cooling process are discussed.

Hot Temperature↗
PubMed1961

Radiation sterilization.

The sterilization by radiation of disposable medical items has been investigated. Various vegetative and spore-bearing bacteria have been irradiated and results indicate that 2.5 Mrad can be recommended to give a high degree of sterility. Spores of B. pumilus (E.601) showed such resistance that it might be a suitable test organism for determining the efficiency of a radiation treatment. A high standard of packaging must be demanded for pre-sterilized products.

Radiation↗
PubMed1961

Disinfection of bedpans.

A standard dish-washing machine fitted with an automatic cycle has been used to clean and disinfect bedpans. Visual and bacteriological examinations have shown that the machine produces superior and more reliable results than in trials of bedpans submitted to previously described methods.

Disinfection↗