Evaluation of a Steam Autoclave for Sterilizing Medical Waste at a University Health Center

Tiller, T.J.; Linscott, Andrea J.

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2004.04.013

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…These results confirm previous studies that showed that (1) parameters such as composition, density, and types of containers affect sterilization efficiency (Lemieux et al, 2006;Palenik et al, 1990), (2) standard operating parameters are not adapted for the proper sterilization of IHCW (Tiller et al, 2004;Lemieux et al, 2006;AFEC Solutions LLC New Jersey, 2007), and (3) Contaminated dialysis cartridges and diapers represent sterilization challenges (Tiller et al, 2004).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Steam sterilization equipment used for IHCW treatment are usually operated at the minimum standards (121°C for 30 min (WHO, 1999;HCWH, 2001;Karagiannidis et al, 2009) or 134°C for 5 min (WHO, 1999), based on the past application of steam sterilization in the treatment of medical devices. Nevertheless, many studies show that these operating parameters are not adapted for the proper sterilization of all IHCW (Tiller et al, 2004;Lemieux et al, 2006;AFEC Solutions LLC New Jersey, 2007). In fact, even if some waste such as syringes, intravenous sets, cotton swabs, bandages and gloves can be successfully decontaminated in standard conditions (Toktobaev et al, 2015), other types of IHCW are more difficult to treat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another study conducted by the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport on the treatment of adult diapers in a medical waste autoclave showed sterilization failure for 132.22°C, at 60 min (Tiller et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of steam sterilization conditions efficiency in the treatment of Infectious Health Care Waste

Maamari

Mouaffak²,

Kamel³

et al. 2016

Waste Management

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Many studies show that the treatment of Infectious Health Care Waste (IHCW) in steam sterilization devices at usual operating standards does not allow for proper treatment of Infectious Health Care Waste (IHCW). Including a grinding component before sterilization allows better waste sterilization, but any hard metal object in the waste can damage the shredder. The first objective of the study is to verify that efficient IHCW treatment can occur at standard operating parameters defined by the contact time-temperature couple in steam treatment systems without a pre-mixing/fragmenting or pre-shredding step. The second objective is to establish scientifically whether the standard operation conditions for a steam treatment system including a step of pre-mixing/fragmenting were sufficient to destroy the bacterial spores in IHCW known to be the most difficult to treat. Results show that for efficient sterilization of dialysis cartridges in a pilot 60L steam treatment system, the process would require more than 20 min at 144°C without a pre-mixing/fragmenting step. In a 720L steam treatment system including pre-mixing/fragmenting paddles, only 10 min at 144°C are required to sterilize IHCW proved to be sterilization challenges such as dialysis cartridges and diapers in normal conditions of rolling.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of steam sterilization conditions efficiency in the treatment of Infectious Health Care Waste

Maamari

Mouaffak²,

Kamel³

et al. 2016

Waste Management

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“…The steam autoclave in this study performed at a contact time of 45 min, a temperature of 150 • C, and at a steam pressure of 5 bar. However, some studies claim that these parameters are not sufficient for the complete sterilization of all biomedical waste types [28,29]. For instance, the inclusion of a grinding system before sterilization allows better sterilization due to a larger waste surface area for steam.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Sterilization Process for Inactivation of Bacillus Stearothermophilus in Biomedical Waste and Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Yaman

2020

Applied Sciences

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This study investigated the biomedical waste collection, transportation, and treatment activities in the city of Kocaeli, Turkey. As an alternative to incineration technology, a steam autoclave was used to sterilize the biomedical waste. Information regarding the collection, transportation, treatment and associated greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) were also investigated. Prior to sterilization, biological indicator vials containing Bacillus stearothermophilus were placed in the center of the load to ensure that the pathogens were destroyed. GHG emissions were calculated based on the fuel consumed by the biomedical waste collection vehicles and the electricity/natural gas used at the sterilization plant. Results of this work revealed that the total biomedical waste generated per year increased from 1362 tons in 2009 to 2375 tons in 2019. The amount of biomedical waste generated per hospital bed was determined as 1.19 kg.bed−1.day−1. Results show that for efficient sterilization of biomedical wastes, the steam treatment system process should be operated at a contact time of 45 min, a temperature of 150 °C, and at a steam pressure of 5 bar. Biological indicator tests showed that the number of living Bacillus stearothermophilus decreased significantly, with removal rates greater than 6log10. Finally, it was determined that the biomedical waste management activities generated a total of GHG emissions of 5573 ton CO2 equivalency (tCO2-e) from 2009 to 2019. Furthermore, the average global warming factor (GWF) was calculated to be 0.269 tCO2-e per ton of biomedical waste generated. This study showed that the sterilization process is very effective in destroying the pathogens and the management of biomedical waste generates considerable amounts of GHG emissions.

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“…The constantly increasing amount of municipal solid waste and the implementation of directives regarding the reduction of the amount of waste that is landfilled has led to a search for new solutions that allow for maximal recovery and reuse of waste. One of the solutions may be autoclaving, which so far was applied mainly for medical waste [1][2][3][4]. In last decade a few autoclaving installations were established for municipal waste.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stabilizate from Autoclaved Municipal Solid Waste as a Source of Valuable Humic Substances in a Waste Circular Economy

Kulikowska

Bernat

Wojnowska‐Baryła

et al. 2019

Waste Biomass Valor

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One of the solutions in unsorted municipal waste management is autoclaving, which maximize the amount of waste for recycling. After autoclaving, however, up to 30% of autoclaved waste, called organic remaining fraction (ORF) is still unstabilized and cannot be landfilled but must be subjected for further stabilization, e.g. in aerobic conditions. After this process waste meets standards for landfilling. However, as during aerobic stabilization humification of organic matter proceed, before landfilling humic substances (HS) could be recovered. High HS concentration in ORF means that before its landfilling HS can be recovered. The maximal recovering of valuable substances from waste is in line with the principles of sustainable development. Therefore, this study examined the humification of ORF from a full-scale mechanical-heat-treatment plant during composting in two-stage system (1st stage in 550 L reactor, 2nd stage in windrow). The rates of organics mineralization were 8.35-12.00 g OM/kg d.m. d. The rates of HS formation were lower, 3.31-3.92 mg/g OM d, and process proceeded most intensively up to 50 days. The maximum HS concentrations were 82-120 mg/g OM, similar to those in composts from different kinds of organic waste. ORF ORF+I intensive humification Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)So far, autoclaves were used mainly for treatment of medical waste. In last decade a few autoclaving installations (mechanical-heat-treatment plant, MHT plant) were established for municipal waste. However, after that process a large part of the autoclaved waste comprises the biodegradable fraction (ORF) that must be stabilized. However, the product of stabilization cannot be used in the environment, but needs to be only landfilled. If it were possible to extract useful substances from the stabilizate, e.g. humic substances, this would be consistent with the goals of a circular economy.To the best our knowledge, humification process during aerobic stabilization of ORF from a full-scale MHT plant as well as humic substances content in stabilizate from ORF have not been analyzed. Humification have been the subject of many research but during composting, not municipal waste stabilization. We found that HS concentrations in stabilized ORF are high, which indicates that recovery of these substances can be profitable and that this waste can serve as a source of materials for new products in the circular economy.

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Evaluation of a Steam Autoclave for Sterilizing Medical Waste at a University Health Center

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Comparison of steam sterilization conditions efficiency in the treatment of Infectious Health Care Waste

Comparison of steam sterilization conditions efficiency in the treatment of Infectious Health Care Waste

Application of Sterilization Process for Inactivation of Bacillus Stearothermophilus in Biomedical Waste and Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Stabilizate from Autoclaved Municipal Solid Waste as a Source of Valuable Humic Substances in a Waste Circular Economy

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