Sterilization and its Importance
Sterlization protocol is very important for any health care organization and we at Delhi Dental Hub are very particular in following the same. Sterilization is defined as the process of destroying all microorganisms and their pathogenic products. It can be accomplished by any of various methods, including heat (usually wet steam under pressure at 121°C for 15 minutes), gas plasma, irradiation, or a bactericidal chemical compound such as ethylene oxide, peracetic acid, or aqueous glutaraldehyde. The probability that a given process has made something sterile is known as its sterility assurance level.
In sterilizing objects or substances, the high resistance of bacterial spore cells must be taken into account. Most dangerous bacteria are destroyed at a temperature of 50° to 60°C, so that pasteurization of fluid, which is the application of heat at about 60°C, destroys disease-causing bacteria. However, temperatures almost twice as high are usually required to destroy the spore cells.
The discovery that heat, in the form of flame, steam, or hot water, kills bacteria made possible the advances of modern surgery, which is based on freedom from microorganisms, asepsis, and prevention of contamination. Sterilization of all equipment used during operations and other procedures, and of anything that in any way may touch an operative field, is carried out scrupulously. Health care providers all wear sterile clothing. Instruments are sterilized by boiling, by chemicalantiseptics, or by use of an autoclave. Gamma sterilization uses the radioisotope cobalt 60 as the energy source to sterilize some medical supply products. It has the advantages of penetrating all types of packaging, decreasing quarantine time, requiring fewer personnel, and allowing for bulk processing.
The Importance of Dental Sterilization
Sterilizing Dental equipment is of the utmost importance in the dental field. Thousands of patients die every year or are infected with disease because medical equipment was not properly sterilized. Complications surface in many surgeries due to improper sterilization. 3 of the biggest reasons why the sterilization of medical equipment is of the utmost importance.
1) Sterilization Prevents the Growth of Diseases
One of the most important reasons why the disinfection of medical devices is so important is to prevent the buildup of bacteria and various other diseases. When any medical tool is used, bacteria comes onto the device. If left unchecked or not disinfected properly, then it is highly likely that bacteria will grow.
2) Sterilization Prevents the Spread of Diseases
One of the biggest reasons why the disinfection of medical devices is so important is to prevent the spread of diseases. If surgical equipment is not properly sterilized, there are chances that the next patient the equipment is used on can be exposed to a disease the previous patient had. The disinfection of medical devices ensures that many compromising and debilitating diseases, such as AIDS, are prevented. If the blood of a patient comes into contact with another patient, then there is a chance that the other patient can contract AIDS.Many deadly bacteria can grow on unsterilized medical equipment. If those bacteria were to somehow gain entry into a patient’s body, it could kill them rather quickly.
3) Sterilization Prevents Double Surgeries
Many medical devices are used in a surgical operation. If unsterilized equipment is used, it can cause an infection which may not appear until much later. When it does, surgery may have to be performed again in order to remove it. This is costly and can cause many life-threatening complications.The disinfection of dental devices is an important practice. If proper medical sterilization was not practiced, a number of medical problems can occur. As evident, these problems can be simple or complex in nature. However, they are simple to prevent. The growth and spread of diseases are just two of the most important reasons why medical equipment must be sterilized after every use.