In April 2009, a new line of medical autoclave – the BRAVO series – received FDA approval to proceed with marketing. The new sterilization product was developed by SciCan Ltd.in Canada and is just now making its rounds in the US. These are table top vacuum steam sterilizers that operate at high pressures. This optimizes the conditions necessary to penetrate a load and effectively kill infectious organisms in a short period of time.
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On June 18th, Getinge USA, Inc. received the 2009 Suppliers Performance Award. This is an honor bestowed by Premier, Inc. – a coalition of 60,000 healthcare facilities and hospitals across the U.S. Premier is dedicated to improving performance in the health field in measurable ways. Collecting data and evaluating outcomes is one of the things they do best. An award from this organization is based on an in depth review of a full 12 months of data and is a real marker of achievement.
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The resiliency of Acinetobacter bacteria has been known since it was first studied in 1973 after being brought back from Vietnam by soldiers. At that time, the spread of this infectious agent could easily be controlled with common antibiotics. Today the pathogen can be found in the soil and in water sources across the U.S. Unfortunately, it has also acquired multidrug resistance. This germ generally attacks people who are vulnerable because of traumatic injury or a compromised immune system.
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In June, a 3M study published in Healthcare Purchasing News drew attention to the phenomenon of Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS). This condition is also known as toxic endothelial cell destruction. It has been associated with sterilization residue in many cases where cataract eye surgery has failed.
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This March, the Muskogee Community Hospital opened in Oklahoma. As a brand new healthcare facility, it demonstrates a fundamental shift in the focus of care. Instead of simply being a location for treatment of disease, its mission now encompasses a much broader scope. The hospital was designed at a fundamental level to exist in a healthy balance with the environment.
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In May of 2009, Sartorius Stedim Biotech announced a new disposable sterile connector that joins two pre-sterilized components normally used in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing process. The purpose of the device is to prevent contamination while supporting the flow of sterile fluid from one component part to the next. The Opta SFT-I connectors do this by creating a 4 step sterile fluid path. This includes the proven barrier system method combined with other well tested features that ensure reliability.
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In May, the Primus Sterilizer Company received notification that their 510(k) application has been approved by the FDA. This means the updated PSS5 autoclaves can be marketed in the U.S. as medical devices. The manufacturer has classified these sterilizers as Class II equipment for use in hospital, surgical, and laboratory settings.
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At the 2009 ACHEMA show, Fedegari showcased the new FOB4-TS series of horizontal steam sterilizers. These units are designed for compact and easy installation. They have similar capabilities as those of the new FOB TS tabletop series. However, they feature a larger average load capacity. Ergonomic design makes this product conveniently functional.
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In June, Belimed’s Technick GmbH division made the “Top 100” list for small to medium sized businesses in Germany. This sterilizer manufacturer is being recognized in the areas of innovation-friendly management, marketing, and processes. Former state premier of Baden-Wurttemberg, Lothar Spath, presented this award at an official ceremony on 6/26/09.
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Radical, an innovative UK company, has developed a sanitization system for the food processing industry based upon water oxidation. Their machine creates high concentrations of ozone in a dedicated water supply. The process then goes on to create hydrogen peroxides and hydroxyl ions. These substances are powerful biocides that dissipate readily after the decontamination of target surfaces. This new, viable and cheap alternative to chlorine based methods was featured in Food Quality News in May of 2009.
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