Rigid container filters

[tish]

I have discovered that an outpatient area is, at times, cutting disposable sterilization wrap to size and using this as a filter in rigid containers. Any comments?

[allis]

The filter used in my hospital for STERRAD is the same material as the wrapping paper Kimguard from KC. I doubt however it would be accepted that we cut out pieces from those papers and used them as filters.

[Chuck Hughes]

Sterilization wrap comes in many different materials and grades; therefore, it would be prudent to only use the filter material supplied by the container mfg. as it has been validated for such use. This is supported by AORN which states on page 641 of their 2009 edition regarding rigid container use: "The manufacturer's instuctions for recommended filter material, security locks, and external chemical indicators should be followed."