Safety of the autoclave sterilization method to reduce the risk of hospital infection

Abstract

Hospital infection is acquired by the patient after hospitalization and may manifest during hospitalization or after discharge. Health Care-Related Infection (ARs) is considered a public health problem. In the countries, from Central America, and Europe, with hospitalized patients, about 7.6% present this condition, which leads to worsening of the patient's condition, increased microbial resistance, and removal of the patient from their service, with increased expenses and economic impact. (BRAZIL, 2021; WHO, 2022) In the sterilization process, there is the destruction of all microorganisms, in vegetative or sporulated form, at a temperature from 121°C to 135°C, the time may vary according to the temperature and the model of the autoclave. (PADOVEZE, QUELHAS, NAKAMURA, 2014) One of the ways to reduce the risk of IRAS involves all phases of the sterilization process, the storage and distribution of materials, should follow the manual of good practices for the reprocessing of materials, because in addition to ensuring their use, lead to the absence of adverse effects to the patient, which includes infection (SOBECC, 2017).