Evaluation of the Plazlyte Sterilization System at the Richmond Hospital, Richmond, B.C.

Ethylene oxide mixed with chlorofluorocarbons has been the sterilant of choice for heat- and pressure-sensitive instruments and equipment in most Canadian and U.S. healthcare facilities. A pending July 1, 1994 ban on CFCs in British Columbia propelled the Greater Vancouver Regional Hospital District (GVRHD) to seek out any new available technologies to replace EtO sterilization. AbTox Plazlyte Sterilization System, which employs a proprietary, low-temperature gas plasma in conjunction with vaporized peracetic acid chemistry to provide terminal sterilization of instruments and devices, appeared very promising. A task force was formed at the Richmond Hospital to develop and implement a clinical isolate test protocol of the system. Following the three-month trial, the results showed the system to be effective in sterilizing all clinical isolates and compatible with the materials tested. There has also been improved product throughput. The Richmond Hospital now uses one Plazlyte sterilizer to process all items formerly processed using EtO.