Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019163 (hepatitis B)
 38,309 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The choice as to which of the two gaseous processes is best suited to individual hospital needs is a difficult one. Very few items are unable to tolerate 73 degrees C (LTSF) and these few can withstand 37 degrees C or 55 degrees C (EO). Unfortunately, LTSF is a 'moist' process and sterilizers have a poor history of providing sterilization without modification, and consequently few are used. Ethylene oxide is more reliable, but environmental hazards are greater and running costs high. Both processes are time-consuming and the use of sporicidal disinfectants such as glutaraldehyde is often the only practical alternative. Before purchasing any gaseous sterilizer it is essential to consider throughput and the availability of alternative processes. It may prove sensible to share facilities or at least offer a regional facility. It is certainly not worthwhile purchasing expensive gas sterilizers for reprocessing inexpensive single-use items or for those that require disinfection only. Low temperature steam is safe, inexpensive and no special environmental provisions are necessary. It is, however, not a sterilization process. Disinfectants, hot water and steam will continue to be the only suitable methods for reprocessing items outside the hospital sterile supply department or disinfection unit. Concern over the decontamination of blood-stained instruments following use on patients with hepatitis B or HIV has led to an upsurge of interest in boilers and inexpensive bench top ovens and autoclaves. Such processes are likely to prove more effective than disinfectants but should heat treatment prove impractical then 2% glutaraldehyde or 70% alcohol may be used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Methods of reprocessing complex medical equipment. 289 20

Hospitals present a variety of infectious, chemical and physical hazards to their workers. Important pathogens include AIDS, hepatitis B and rubella viruses and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Ethylene oxide is probably the greatest chemical hazard, but anesthetic gases, antineoplastic drugs and skin irritants or sensitizers are significant hazards as well. Hospitals also have poor safety records. A well-organized occupational health service that includes a physician, or a nurse with medical backup, and good records saves more than it costs.
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PMID:Occupational health for hospital workers. 294 70

Since the inception of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes, disinfection of these instruments has been a problem. Soaking in glutaraldehyde does not always achieve sterilization, and often damages the scopes. Ethylene oxide can sterilize endoscopes; however, it is economically impractical because of a required downtime of 24 hours. Thus, it is obvious, especially with respect to human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and Mycobacterium, that a new technique to attain sterility is necessary. This paper discusses a new method of sterile introduction of the flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscope. The technique employs disposable sterile sheaths that are prepackaged and made from a thermoplastic elastomer with a clear optical end. The sheaths can be applied in seconds and tightly adhere to the flexible insertion portion of the scope. Results to date indicate that the performance of the endoscope is unhindered by using the sheaths. Furthermore, there has been no break in the integrity of the sheaths or damage to instruments. It is our opinion that these devices will greatly improve the level of sterility while at the same time reducing costs and downtime.
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PMID:New technique for the sterile introduction of flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopes. 812 44