Microbiological Control of Radiation Sterilization of Medical Supplies. I. Total Count on Medical Products (Disposable Syringes and Donor Sets) Prior to Radiation Sterilization

摘要

A technique for determination of the number of micro-organisms on dry disposable equipment prior to radiosterilization is described.nA total of 1678 hypodermic syringes from the same producer were investigated. The average count for the period of investigation was calculated to be in the range of 3. 5 - 10. 8 per syringe. Only nine syringes, i. e. 0. 54％ of the samples, gave off more than 100 organisms. The highest single count was 294 (obtained from a 20 cc syringe).nA total of 297 donor sets from another producer were investigated. The average counts in the individual batches varied between 0.3 and 61 organisms per sample. The highest single counts were 800 and 840.nThe relations applied at Riso between initial counts on the products and the minimum doses used for radiosterilization are described. Products such as the syringes referred to above were irradiated with a minimum dose of 3. 5 Mrads.