Evaluation of the use and re-use of cotton fabrics as medical and hospital wraps

Brazilian Journal of Microbiology

Edna Rodrigues²  Anna S. Levin¹  Sumiko Ikura Sinto¹  Caio Figueiredo Mendes¹  Benedito Barbosa¹  Kazuko Uchikawa Graziano¹ 

[1] ,Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina Hospital das ClínicasSão Paulo SP ,Brasil

关键词: microbiological barrier;    cloth packing;    reprocessing;    reusable medical articles;    barreira microbiana;    embalagem de tecido;    reprocessamento;    artigos médico-hospitalares reutilizáveis;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1517-83822006000200003

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

The objective of this study was to verify the efficacy of cotton fabric, made of serge bonding 2 x 1, as microbial barrier, when new and after multiple laundering and steam sterilization procedures. The power of the microbial barrier was correlated with physical characteristics of the fabric, using standard test methods for evaluation of weight, traction, stretching tearing resistance and microbiological characteristics. The microbiological results evidenced that the microbial barrier was effective when the wrapping material was new or went through a maximum of new 65 reprocessing procedures. As for the alterations in the physical characteristics of the reprocessed material, the decrease in weight seemed to be the event responsible for microbial barrier breaking. The timing of detected alterations in bursting, traction and stretching in the wrap and the reprocessed fabrics did not coincide with the moment of bacterial barrier breaking. The present investigation corroborates that the use double cotton fabric, for wrapping medical and hospital items for steam sterilization, is safe. Re-use number must be controlled, not exceeding 65 times.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License