A Study on the Application of Pasteurization of Medical Equipment
Somwang Danchaivijitr MD*, Pairoj Suwanasuthi BEng**, Chanwit Tribuddharat MD***, Chertsak Dhiraputra MD***, Varaporn Pumsuwan MSc****, Sumalee Pakaworavuthi BRN****
Affiliation : *Department of Medicine,Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, **Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, ***Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. Mahidol University, ****Centre for Nosocomial Infection Control, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objectives : To study the need of pasteurization of medical equipment and the possibility of production of
pasteurizer in Thailand.
Materials and Methods : The need of pasteurization of medical equipment was studied by a set of questionnaires
to heads of the central sterile supply department (CSSD) and head ward nurses in 29 hospitals across
Thailand. Efficacy of pasteurization was demonstrated by disinfection with an imported pasteurizer. A pas-
teurizer was later produced by the researchers and had it tested for efficacy in disinfection.
Results : There were 26 items of medical equipment that could be disinfected by pasteurization. The number of
the equipment was 6.2 pieces per bed per week. Disinfection of the equipment was done in C.S.S.D. as well as
in patient’s wards. The imported pasteurizer was efficacious in disinfection. The pasteurizer made by research-
ers was convenient for use, not expensive to manufacture and the operating cost for disinfection was 2 to 6
folds less than that done by ethylene oxide gas.
Conclusion : Pasteurization is effective in disinfection and is applicable to certain heat labile medical equip-
ments. A pasteurizer is not difficult to produce, cheap and the operating cost is low. Pasteurization should be
more widely applied in Thailand.
Keywords : Pasteurization, Medical equipment
