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ePaper created 2016-11-25, 09:21:23 | version 1.38.0
exhibitors 20 Greater New York Dental Meeting — Nov. 27, 2016 By Midmark Corp. Staff n There are two things that can really put a damper on a dentist’s day: a patient who just ate a garlic lovers’ pizza and instruments that are not properly sterilized. While there’s not much that can be done about the pizza — we probably won’t see a ban on garlic anytime soon — there is technology available to help dentists properly sterilize instruments and prevent the spread of infections. The need for infection control has never been greater. As the threat of antibiotic-resistant infections contin- ues to rise, dentists, staff and patients are more concerned about the trans- mission of infection than ever before. Controlling bacterial contamination through sterilization is considered the most essential component in the infection control process. Proper instrument sterilization is a must for protecting patients, physi- cians and staff against various infec- tious diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in its 2003 Guidelines for Disinfection and Steri- lization in Healthcare Facilities, rec- ognized and recommended steam sterilizers (also known as autoclaves) as an economical and dependable sterilization method for use in dental settings. As a result, the majority of thetabletopsterilizersusedintoday’s practices utilize some form of steam sterilization. Tabletop steam sterilizers come in a variety of types and sizes and provide multiple sterilization cycles for processing various load types. The primary difference is in how they remove trapped air inside the chamber and load once the sterilizer door is closed. Following are the three main types of tabletop steam sterilizers. Gravity displacement sterilizers Gravitydisplacementsterilizersusea passiveairremovalsystemtoremove trapped air from the chamber. While the water is heated and converted to steam, the heavier air moves to the lower portion of the chamber where it is expelled through a temperature- controlled mechanical valve. Once the air or vapor flowing through the valve reaches the valve set-point (usually around water’s boil- ing point of 212 degrees Fahrenheit), the valve closes for the remainder of the cycle. Withthistypeofairremoval,there is the potential for small amounts of air to remain trapped in the chamber or load after the valve closes. For this reason, cycle times are typically longer and terminal sterilization of some complex devices may not be possible. This type can sterilize liquids, provided that a slow vent feature is incorporated in the design. Prevacuum sterilizers Prevacuum sterilizers use a dynamic air removal system of vacuum pulses to eliminate trapped air. In this sys- tem, a vacuum pump actively draws air from the sterilizer chamber prior to and during the heating phase. Some models use multiple vac- uum pulses (fractionated vacuum) for some or all cycle types to maximize air removal, and some models include a vacuum pulse at the end (post- vacuum) of the cycle to speed up the drying phase. While this method may provide a shorter cycle time as a result of its more complete air removal, it cannot be used to sterilize liquids. Also, since these models rely on a vacuum to draw the air out of the chamber, routine Bowie-Dick testing is required to assure there are no air leaks in the sterilizer. Steam flush pressure pulse (SFPP) sterilizers SFPPsterilizersemployadynamicair removal system of steam flushes and pressure pulses to remove trapped air.Inthissystem,anelectronicvalve is cycled open and close as the cham- ber pressurizes during the heating phase to expel air or steam from the chamber and load. As with prevacuum sterilizers, air removal is more complete than gravity displacement cycles and per- mits shorter cycle times. Air removal also occurs through atmospheric pressure pulses rather than vacuum pulses, eliminating the need for daily leak testing. Liquids can be sterilized in SFPP sterilizers, provided a specialized cycle with a slow vent and special pressure-pulsing routine is in the design. Midmark sterilizers While all three steam sterilizer types are recognized and recommended by the CDC and ANSI/AAMI, Midmark utilizes the SFPP methodology in its line of industry-leading tabletop sterilizers. The reason is quite simple: It’s the best choice for dental practices that are looking for effective, reli- able sterilizers that are easy to use. Also, since SFPP technology does not require a vacuum, air filter or daily Bowie-Dick testing, they have a lower cost of ownership. As the market leader in steam sterilization — with more than 63 per- cent market share of dental tabletop sterilizers, according to the company — Midmark understands the needs of dental practices when it comes to patients and staff. Protecting your practice from infection with steam sterilization Here in New York To learn more about Midmark’s steam sterilizers, stop by the booth, No. 4609. 5 (Photo/Provided by Midmark Corp.)