Sterilization - An Overview

In this and subsequent article we shall try and see the different processes of Sterilization  being used  in Industry and Hospitals and also try to analyze the difference in needs and ways of sterilization in Industry and Hospitals.

Sterilization refers to any process that effectively kills or eliminates transmissible agents (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, spore forms, etc.) from a surface, equipment, article of food or medication, or biological culture medium.  

Sterilization does not remove prions. Sterilization can be achieved through application of heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure or filtration.

Sterilization Vs Sanitization

There seems to be some confusion between the 2 terms.   

Sanitize - to render sanitary, or free from elements, such as filth or pathogens, that endanger health. This does not mean ALL possible microorganisms, etc, but MOST. Sanitizing does not remove ALL bacteria, microorganisms, etc.

Sterilize - to render sterile, or to make free from ALL live bacteria or other microorganisms. Kind of a "total kill" of everything.

Something that is sterilized can also be considered sanitary, but something that is sanitized is not sterile.

In brewing, sanitary is the standard. In medicine, sterile.

Perhaps technically. Something that is sanitized COULD be sterile as well, but not likely since the whole point was to draw a distinction between sanitized and sterilized.

Something that is sanitized and also sterile would generally be referenced as sterilized, not sanitized.

Industry Vs Hospitals

Although the same level of sterility assurance should be provided in each case, the operational circumstances are sufficiently different.

In industry, a sterilizer will typically be used to process virgin product with a known bio burden. The range of products will be limited and may be a single product type or single product family of closely related types.

There will normally be good engineering and analytical laboratory support, and the process will be subjected to in-depth validation and routine monitoring. All of the personnel involved will be specifically trained in the process.

In hospitals, a diverse range of reusable products will be processed after being subjected to a largely un-validated cleaning process. The extent and nature of residual soiling and bio burden will be unknown. The process will be subject to minimal validation-certainly not covering the diversity of products processed-and only rarely will there be adequate support from an analytical laboratory. The expectation will be that the process should be simple to operate and safe for use by personnel with minimal training.

Disclaimer

The content of this issue is presented for general information only as perceived by the writer of the article. Reader should independently verify the correctness and accuracy of the material before using the same for any purpose whatsoever. The Company or Management or Staff of Puneet Industries or the Writer shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy or error in the article.

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