FDA guidance on sterilizers
What autoclaves are approved to sterilize hollow items by the FDA?
The standards for autoclaves that can process items with lumens are publicly accessible through the FDA site.
Processing Devices
Read about FDA processing guidance
Semmelweis
Perhaps if he was more diplomatic and better demonstrated his hypothesis he would have had a better response from his colleagues
Returning explants to patients
In developing a policy on the return of explants to patients [or previously worn body jewelry to clients] there are many concerns and issues that need to be considered and addressed.
If it is not clean it can not be sterilized
Equipment must be cleaned before sterilization. Heat fixes blood fibrin to instrument surfaces, and should not be used prior to cleaning. Reprocessing should be done according to evidence based scientific recommendations.
JHU Infection Prevention Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities with Limited Resources
Links: Some educational infection prevention materials for body artists
useful info on antimicrobials
http://www.fightgermsnow.com/ A useful collection of scientific studies on antimicrobial use in clinical and home settings.
Skin antiseptics for piercing preparation
I miss the idea of a single non-staining, non-toxic agent that Techni-Care represented for skin preparation, and have been trying other options. Here is some further information, a fun presentation, and some links
Noticed a smell after using OPTIM 33TB?
Clean shouldn’t smell like anything at all…
Do You Really Need To Wear A Face Mask?
It is well founded to wear a mask during your procedures for your clients safety and your own.
Chemical Indicators are important!
Integrating and Emulating sterilization indicators
Understanding Facial Protection
A little more about face masks: they were designed to protect the patient from the healthcare practitioner, not the other way around
Medical Device Regulation: US or EU
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act In the States, medical devices are regulated by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Then called the Food …
Scientists create “artificial life” – synthetic DNA that can self-replicate
Hooray for Ventner
Lego documentary about early microbiologists – Boing Boing
Stop-motion Lego documentary about early microbiologists – Boing Boing.
A brief history of sterilization
An educational overview of some of the important historical steps forward in infection control and sterilization
