mhp stands for publications in medicine, hygiene and prevention. For more than 20 years, the mhp publishing house has devoted itself to supporting developments aiming for a better standard of hygiene and infection control in hospitals and other medical facilities.

Zentralsterilisation - Central Service

Sterile supply is a crucial component of all medical services. The journal Zentralsterilisation - Central Service aims to strengthen this prominent position. It has created a forum for all those who take an active role in everyday practice or research and development in this field. The well-balanced, reader-friendly content of the journal is composed of high-level scientific articles, reports from the field, recommendations of professional associations, relevant press items and news from the industry. In addition to promoting a multidisciplinary approach, Central Service facilitates international cooperation for a uniformly high standard in sterile supply by publishing all articles in both German and English.

From the very beginning, Central Service had served as the official publication of the European Society for Hospital Sterile Supply (ESH) and will in future be the publication of the newly founded International Federation of Sterile Supply (IFSS). Furthermore, upon its foundation in 1996, the German Society for Sterile Supply (DGSV) chose Central Service as its official journal.

In the last ten years, Central Service has become an integral part of national and international reference sources for questions concerning medical, technical and economic aspects of sterile supply. In this function it has greatly contributed to quality assurance in the prevention of nosocomial infections.

Central Service
Issue 1/04

EDITORIAL

Keep it Simple, Stupid!

NEWS UPDATE

What's New in Standardisation: Too Little Time?
In the Grip of Prions - or Got a Grip on Prions?
2nd International Basel Symposium, 15 January 2004
Labelling of Disinfectants for Medical Devices Leaves Room for Improvement
Study Day of the Belgian Society VSZ

MAIN ARTICLES

S. Krüger:
Multi-Centre Trial with TOSI Gap Process Challenge Devices
(Zentr Steril 2004; 12 (1): 2128.)

Abstract
The myriad findings already available from laboratory and field tests demonstrate that the standardised cleaning indicator "TOSI Test Object Surgical Instruments" is able to identify weak links in the automated cleaning process. Factors of relevance here are the spray pattern within the washer-disinfector, the detergent itself as well as the temperature curve and hold time defined by the programme sequence for the cleaning step. The interplay between these factors was elucidated in laboratory tests - already published - conducted in test machines.

The aim here was to find out what results would be yielded by tests carried out under standardised conditions in washer-disinfectors in a practical setting. To that effect, a multi-centre trial was planned and executed by the Quality Task Group of the German Society for Sterile Supply (DGSV). It was, of course, possible only to a certain extent to standardise test conductions, with these pertaining to loading of trays and positioning of process challenge devices (PCDs). The only washer-disinfectors deemed appropriate for inclusion in the multi-centre trial were those which in the opinion of the operator were able to produce results ranging from satisfactory to good.

It was possible to carry out three parallel tests with other indicators as part of the same series of tests.

J.G. Skogås*, R. Mårvik:
Measures Taken to Reduce Damage and Repair Costs of Rigid Endoscopes During their Handling and Processing in Surgical Practice
(Zentr Steril 2004; 12 (1): 2939.)

Abstract
An increased number of surgical procedures using endoscopic techniques has resulted in a more frequent use of rigid endoscopes. A side effect of this is that more instrument damage has been noticed. Measures must be taken in instrument handling procedures to reduce the incidence of instrument damage and the cost of instrument repairs. Impacts of such changes have been studied. The incidence and types of damage to rigid endoscopes was followed during a six-year period. During the time period of the study certain changes in instrument handling and processing were introduced. Improved education and training of personnel was instituted as well as a change in sterilization practice. Measures taken in instrument processing have resulted in a total reduction of instrument damage of 35%. High temperature damage to lenses was reduced in the order of 80% when low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma was applied for sterilization instead of steam autoclaving. The introduction of educational and training programs to raise the awareness of the staff in instrument handling and the use of low-temperature gas plasma for sterilization can considerably reduce the incidence of instrument damage and reduce the cost for instrument repair. It can be assumed that the reduction of damage to instruments also has a beneficial influence on the quality of the endoscopic surgical procedures because less time is lost, and possibly the image quality can be improved.

LETTERS

Bowie & Dick Test/Plastic Accessory Cases

STERILIZATION BASICS

P. Hooper:
Standards for Decontamination

RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE QUALITY TASK GROUP (AK »QUALITÄT«)

How Quality Management is Structured in CSSD Practice