PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of two different styles of mechanical implant torque wrenches before and after sterilization and repeated use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty new spring-style and friction-style mechanical implant torque wrenches from five different manufacturers were selected as subjects of study and assessed in terms of accuracy. Three manufacturers produced, spring-style (Dio, Neobiotech, Osstem) torque wrenches, and other three manufactures produced friction-style (Dentium, Osstem, Shinhung) torque wrenches. The procedure of target torque measurement was performed 10 times for each device and a digital torque gauge (MGT-12, Mark-10 Corp, USA) was used to record the measurements. All torque wrenches were used repeatedly for 20 times and then sterilized. This whole procedure was repeated 100 times and all torque wrenches were retested. The collected data was analyzed using a SPSS Statistics Analysis program to evaluate the accuracy of the torque wrenches and Mann-Whitney-U test was used for a comparative analysis. RESULTS: After sterilization and repeated use procedure, results did not show any significant difference between error values in the spring-style torque wrench group. However, the results demonstrated an increase in error values within the friction-style torque wrench group (P<.05). CONCLUSION: There was no difference between the accuracy of new spring-style torque wrenches before and after 100 cycles of sterilization and repeated use (P>.05). There was significant difference between the accuracy of new friction-style torque wrenches before and after 100 cycles of sterilization and repeated use (P<.05). Within the limitation of this study, spring-style torque wrenches were more accurate than friction-style torque wrenches in delivering target torque values.
Infection Control ; Sterilization ; Torque*

This study is proposed as an alternative method of sterilization in developing countries Purpose: To determine the efficacy of using a commercially available convection broiler in sterilization of ophthalmic surgical instruments Methods: Surgical ophthalmic instruments were contaminated artificially with Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Aspergillus. The instruments were subjected to heat sterilization using the convection broiler at different temperature settings. After which, the instruments were cultured with appropriate media to determine contamination Results: 15 minutes heat sterilization at 260 degrees centigrade was enough to sterilize the contaminated ophthalmic surgical instruments Conclusion: Heat sterilization using a convection broiler provide a cheaper yet effective method of sterilization. (Author)
Human ; STERILIZATION, INFECTION CONTROL

In-depth knowledge of disinfection and sterilization is a key component of infection control. Sterilization completely removes a spore, whereas disinfection cannot. Disinfectants are classified as oxidants and non-oxidants. The decision regarding which method to apply is based on Spaulding's classification. In this article, disinfection and sterilization are thoroughly reviewed, and extensive information from basic to practical points is discussed.
Classification ; Disinfectants ; Disinfection* ; Infection Control ; Methods ; Oxidants ; Spores ; Sterilization*

In-depth knowledge of disinfection and sterilization is a key component of infection control. Sterilization completely removes a spore, whereas disinfection cannot. Disinfectants are classified as oxidants and non-oxidants. The decision regarding which method to apply is based on Spaulding's classification. In this article, disinfection and sterilization are thoroughly reviewed, and extensive information from basic to practical points is discussed.
Classification ; Disinfectants ; Disinfection* ; Infection Control ; Methods ; Oxidants ; Spores ; Sterilization*

BACKGROUND: This is a theory verification study in which the theory of planned behavior (TPB) of Ajzen is applied to predict operating room (OR) infection control behavior. The study was carried out to know the path of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention towards OR infection control behavior. METHODS: A total of 178 OR nurses working at 13 hospitals in Seoul were the subjects of this study. A questionnaire survey was performed; the data were collected from April 6 to April 19, 2005 and analyzed with t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression, and person's correlation using SPSS program. Using AMOS, the factors of TPB were analyzed with path analysis. RESULTS: The total mean of infection control behavior of OR nurses was 4.37 points out of possible 5.0, and asepsis/operating instrument sterilization had 4.69, which was the highest among all areas of infection control behavior. In case of the relation between attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, and intention, there was the strongest relation of cause and effect (path coefficient 0.38, 39%). In case of intention, perceived behavior control, and behavior, the relation of cause and effect between intention and behavior was path coefficient 0.17 and behavior was path coefficient 0.19. The degree of explanation was 10%. CONCLUSION: We should try to improve environment management in behavior area, and through this study, the importance of education was verified.
Behavior Control ; Cross Infection ; Education ; Infection Control* ; Intention ; Operating Rooms* ; Seoul* ; Sterilization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: This is a theory verification study in which the theory of planned behavior (TPB) of Ajzen is applied to predict operating room (OR) infection control behavior. The study was carried out to know the path of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention towards OR infection control behavior. METHODS: A total of 178 OR nurses working at 13 hospitals in Seoul were the subjects of this study. A questionnaire survey was performed; the data were collected from April 6 to April 19, 2005 and analyzed with t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression, and person's correlation using SPSS program. Using AMOS, the factors of TPB were analyzed with path analysis. RESULTS: The total mean of infection control behavior of OR nurses was 4.37 points out of possible 5.0, and asepsis/operating instrument sterilization had 4.69, which was the highest among all areas of infection control behavior. In case of the relation between attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, and intention, there was the strongest relation of cause and effect (path coefficient 0.38, 39%). In case of intention, perceived behavior control, and behavior, the relation of cause and effect between intention and behavior was path coefficient 0.17 and behavior was path coefficient 0.19. The degree of explanation was 10%. CONCLUSION: We should try to improve environment management in behavior area, and through this study, the importance of education was verified.
Behavior Control ; Cross Infection ; Education ; Infection Control* ; Intention ; Operating Rooms* ; Seoul* ; Sterilization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Cross Infection ; prevention & control ; Dental Instruments ; microbiology ; Equipment Contamination ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Sterilization

BACKGROUND: The shelf life should be determined by health care facility's infection control program. The current standards for preserving the sterility can be changing. So, to measure and compare the recontamination time of sterile packs among wrappers and storage conditions, and develop a practical standard for the shelf life and storage conditions of sterile products. The purpose of this study was placed on measurement of the recontamination time in packs wrapped in all kinds of wrapping materials used in Il-San hospital and extra-costs. METHODS: The first phase study was from June to November 2002 and tile second phase study was planned to extend further the shelf life of the pouch bag from December 2002 to June 2003. Total 504 sterile sample packs containing cotton ball (5 cm-length) prepared and wrapped in four wrapping materials (randomized reprocessed two folds of lines, a fold of new craft paper, a fold of new nonwoven fabric, a fold of new pouch bag) and stored in three location (open shell of one of typical wards, open shelf of one of ICUs, open shelf of CSSD). Each type of packs were opened weekly and the cotton balls inoculated into thioglycollate broth at 35degrees C for seven days by infection control nurse. The temperature and relative humidity was monitored monthly. RESULTS: There was on growth found for any types of the pack and storage conditions studied. The temperature and relative humidity of storage locations were 24.8degrees C and 35.5 %. The extra-cost of reprocessing in Ethylene-Oxide gas sterilization was \32,800,000 and Steam sterilization was \36,900,000 by year. CONCLUSION: This study was conducted in attempt to identify the possibility of extending the current shelf life for sterile goods we use in a sense of cost effectiveness. It was possible to extend shelf life from four weeks to six months in the study hospital. We are going to continue this study and take all steps need to apply this new concept to our practice, and then trying to extend to other hospitals.
Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Costs and Cost Analysis* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humidity ; Infection Control ; Infertility ; Steam ; Sterilization

The concept of healthcare-associated infections broadens the scope of the previously developed concept of hospital-acquired infections. The principles of infection control can be summarized as follows: fight against resistance and block the spread of infection. To manage Infection control well, one should be familiar with the relevant mode(s) of transmission, appropriate precautions, hand hygiene, and the concepts of incidence, disinfection, sterilization, and resistance. Medical directors should also run the infection control committee competently and play the role of a liaison between departments. Although infectious disease management originated as a system implemented by each medical institution, it is developing into a networked system due to improvements in efficiency, the emergence of widespread information sharing, and the necessity of coherent guidelines. Therefore, infectious disease management is expected to be integrated into the foundation of public and private partnerships in the future. In addition, developments in molecular and digital technologies are expected to have further effects on infection control in the future. In particular, since science and technology are developing exponentially, with innovations emerging on a daily basis, it is necessary for workers in the infection control management field to actively engage with rapidly changing trends.
Communicable Diseases ; Disinfection ; Hand Hygiene ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infection Control ; Information Dissemination ; Physician Executives ; Sterilization

Based on the unexpected Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea, it was established that the virus can spread easily, MERS exposure in hospitals carries an extreme risk for infection as well as mortality, and the sharing of information was essential for infection control. Although the incidence of exogenous infections related to contaminated endoscopes is very low, the majority of published outbreaks have been caused by various shortcomings in reprocessing procedures, including insufficient training or awareness. Ever since the inauguration of "Clinical Endoscopy" as an English-language journal of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2011, it has published several articles on disinfection of the endoscope and its accessories. Many Science Citation Index journals have also emphasized high-level disinfection of the gastrointestinal endoscope. Many papers have been produced specifically, since the outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in 2013. The recent review papers concluded that quality control is the most important issue among all the aspects of procedural care, including the efficiency of the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit and reprocessing room. Thorough reprocessing of endoscopes using high-level disinfection and sterilization methods may be essential for reducing the risk of infection.
Disease Outbreaks ; Disinfection* ; Endoscopes* ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; Endoscopy* ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Incidence ; Infection Control ; Korea ; Middle East ; Mortality ; Quality Control ; Sterilization