Can sterilization of disposable face masks be an alternative for imported face masks? A nationwide field study including 19 sterilization departments and 471 imported brand types during COVID-19 shortages.

Background: Face masks, also referred to as half masks, are essential to protect healthcare professionals working in close contact with patients with COVID-19-related symptoms. Because of the Corona material shortages, healthcare institutions sought an approach to reuse face masks or to purchase new, imported masks. The filter quality of these masks remained unclear.

A survey to quantify wet loads after steam sterilization processes in healthcare facilities.

Wet loads after steam sterilization of medical devices in healthcare facilities are unacceptable. However, little is known about their frequency in daily practice. An online survey was distributed via four national sterilization associations, in Australia (Sterilising Research Advisory Council of Australia (Vic), Inc.

Pre-Use Ureteroscope Contamination after High Level Disinfection: Reprocessing Effectiveness and the Relation with Cumulative Ureteroscope Use.

Purpose: We assessed the frequency of preoperative and persistent microbial contamination of flexible ureteroscopes after reprocessing and the relation of contamination to cumulative ureteroscope use.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated the effectiveness of high level disinfection with peracetic acid as well as data on ureteroscope use for 20 new flexible ureteroscopes from December 2015 to December 2017 at a single center. In the operating room pre-use and postuse microbial samples of the ureteroscope shaft and working channel were collected to evaluate microbial contamination after reprocessing.

Durability of Flexible Ureteroscopes: A Prospective Evaluation of Longevity, the Factors that Affect it, and Damage Mechanisms.

Background: Flexible ureteroscopy is an established treatment modality for evaluating and treating abnormalities in the upper urinary tract. Reusable ureteroscope (USC) durability is a significant concern.

Objective: To evaluate the durability of the latest generation of digital and fiber optic reusable flexible USCs and the factors affecting it.