Methods for disinfection and tracking of soiled items
OwnerTerrence Langfordinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for single-step and rapid high-level or better disinfection utilizing a push/pull reprocessing apparatus and a predetermined mixture of detergent and sterilant. The accessible surfaces (including any lumens) of the soiled item or items to be disinfected are contacted with a mixture of detergent and sterilant or with detergent alone for a predetermined period followed by the addition of a sterilant. High-level disinfection or better is achieved within a 5 to 20 minute washing cycle period. A tracking function is also provided whereby the disinfection history of the item being reprocessed, the status of the reprocessing apparatus, whether the item is read-to-use, and the inventory of both items being reprocessed and the consumables used by the apparatus may be tracked.
Claims27
A method for achieving at least high-level disinfection of a soiled item, comprising the steps of:
- a. securing said soiled item within a push/pull reprocessing system;
- b. flowing a predetermined mixture including a fluid, a detergent, and a sterilant over accessible surfaces of the soiled item, wherein the item is reprocessed to a biological endpoint of 10−5 CFU/ml to 10−6 CFU/ml;
- and
- c. flowing ozonated sterile water over said accessible surfaces after step (b).
A method for high-level disinfection or better of a soiled item, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a push/pull reprocessing system;
- b. securing said item within said reprocessing system;
- c. flowing a mixture including a fluid, a detergent, and a sterilant back-and-forth upon accessible surfaces of said soiled item for at least 5 minutes, wherein the item is reprocessed to a biological endpoint of 10−5 CFU/ml to 10−6 CFU/ml;
- and
- d. flowing ozonated sterile water over said accessible surfaces after step (c).
A method for high-level disinfection or better of a soiled item secured within a push/pull reprocessing apparatus, comprising the step of:
- a. contacting accessible surfaces of said soiled item with a predetermined mixture including a fluid, a detergent, and a sterilant to a biological endpoint of 10−5 CFU/ml to 10−6 CFU/ml in a single washing cycle of 20 minutes or less.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.