[Use of paraformaldehyde tablets for bacterial count reduction, disinfection, cold sterilization, and sterile preservation of medical instruments. 3: On the use of paraformaldehyde tablets in medical institutions].

Paraformaldehyde tablets are very effective against a wide spectrum of organisms. They may be recommended for targeted degerming measures in medical practice. Their utilization requires the observance of the conditions necessary for their efficient use. The tablets should be employed only in containers which are as tight-fitting as possible (preferentially instrument cabinets, Heynemann cabinets, catheter boxes and plastic bags). Paraformaldehyde tablets are well suited for the reduction of the bacterial population and the storage of nonwrapped sterilized instruments. For this purpose, 1 tablet/dm3 is needed. The exposure time required for bacterial count reduction is no less than 3 h. Despite certain limitations, paraformaldehyde tablets may be used for disinfecting. The objects to be disinfected should be neither too contaminated nor too soiled. The minimum period of exposure is 5 h, and 10 tablets/dm3 are necessary. Cold sterilization requires 10 tablets/dm3, too; but the exposure time ranges from 15 to 24 h. This method (which must be considered an expedient) should be employed only if the respective device or instrument cannot be sterilized by other sterilizing techniques. In any case, 80% relative air humidity is a must in the devices in which paraformaldehyde tablets are used.