Do you choose the right way to do the sterilization or disinfection?

           There are many methods to keep the life, environment and medical instruments free from the bacteria or microorganisms. According to the material and the effect which we want to achieved, we must choose the efficient method which ensure the sterilization or disinfection is complete.

Sterile

According the unlike material and the effect, we can following points:

1) Heat Sterilization: It is the simplest, most effective and cheap method. Use saturated steam above 100°c for 10-15 minutes. This procedure make the bacteria protein coagulation, then can be achieved the sterilization effect. But the material should tolerate the high heat, otherwise the material will be damaged.

2) Radiation Sterilization: Ultraviolet is the good procedure for sterilization. After the ultraviolet irradiated, the microorganism can’t produce the protein, then the microorganisms are killed immediately and lose the capacity reproductive. But you must check the material whether to be bad after the ultraviolet irradiated for a long time.

Unsterile 

3) Chemical disinfection:

Destruction the number of microorganism to a level low enough that disease is unlikely to occur.

-Using the phenolic compounds component destroy the membrane of microorganisms.

-Using 70% ethanol in water to 100% for surface which denatures proteins of microorganisms.

-Use soap containing hexachlorophene to wash the hands.

   Finally, the different materials want to achieve complete sterility, we should choose the efficient methods, then can save the time, the cost and also protect the material stay the same.

References: 
Sterilization methods and impact on electronics in medical devices , 7/8/2011 http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1278906