Australian first for Mater Adult Hospital

Mater Adult Hospital’s Central Sterilising Supply Department (CSSD) has installed Australia’s first STERRAD® 200 Sterilization System which is set to provide optimal efficiency and maximum instrument throughput.

The new equipment is designed for high volume health care facilities and utilises a low temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma technology, which is faster and safer than ethylene oxide, eliminates potential toxic residue, saves hours of aeration and helps ensure a safer working environment.

CSSD Nurse Unit Manager, Maria Anderson said the cutting edge equipment features double the chamber size, allowing for twice the quantity of sterilisation and is ideal for processing a range of surgical devices, including metal and non-metal instruments, along with those sensitive to heat and moisture.

“As more and more instruments are becoming heat sensitive, this has meant a greater increase in workload for plasma sterilisation,” Ms Anderson said. “With this new technology, we’re able to double the quantity of sterilisation for faster, more efficient turnaround.”

“The new system prolongs the life of items by using containers, minimising the risk of damage within the STERRAD 200,” she continued, “and because of the low temperature, items can be used immediately post sterilisation or stored on the shelf.”

CSSD has the ability to track usage of items through this sterilisation system which aids justification of future purchases. Staff are currently undergoing education, training and competency testing to ensure best practice procedures within the CSSD.