Maintaining disinfection of medical equipment

摘要

A method is provided for maintaining the disinfection of medical equipment, in particular medical endoscopes (10), following processing. The method comprises placing the disinfected equipment (10) in a sealed chamber (12), and subsequently reducing the pressure within the sealed chamber (12) to cause evaporation of residual moisture. Gas scavenger sachets (21) are also provided within the sealed chamber (12) to remove atmospheric oxygen, thus causing a further reduction in the chamber pressure. The method may optionally include a further step of charging the sealed chamber (12) with a disinfectant gas or vapor. The processed medical equipment (10) is then maintained at the desired level of disinfection within the controlled biostatic environment in the sealed chamber (12).

主权项

1. A method for maintaining disinfection of medical equipment following processing thereof, comprising placing disinfected equipment in a sealed chamber comprising
a reusable tray having a rigid construction, and having a downwardly-dished, inner compartment defined by a generally planar base and surrounding walls upstanding thereform; and a protective cover comprising a rigid lid having tapered edges engaging with complementary tapered edges provided on the walls of the tray, thereby to provide a substantially gas-tight seal; wherein at least one of said tray and said cover has a valve for connection to a disinfection maintenance station comprising a suction device and a vessel for a disinfectant; and wherein the tray is housed within an oxygen-impermeable pouch, also having a valve for connection to said disinfection maintenance station, and arranged to communicate with said valve in at least one of said tray and said cover, and subsequently performing the following steps: (A) reducing pressure within the sealed chamber using said suction device, thereby to cause evaporation of residual moisture; (B) removing atmospheric oxygen from the sealed chamber, thus further reducing pressure within the sealed chamber, using a gas scavenger present in at least one sachet; (C) charging the sealed chamber with a disinfectant from said vessel, said disinfectant being selected from a disinfectant gas and a disinfectant vapour; and subsequently maintaining a biostatic environment within the sealed chamber, whereby viable inter-procedural disinfected storage time for said medical equipment is greater than 3 hours.