Sterilizing Paper

[msnascarolina]

I am looking for any information on this subject that any one can give me. My facility is starting to sterilize sheets of paper for the OR, I thought I had heard that it is not possible to sterilize paper. I hope someone can give me some advice, thanks.........Mary

[sonny1388]

Again, I would ask the question what are they wanting sterile paper for. There may be a manufacturer who can supply sterile paper for you. However, unless you can get a reccommendation from the manufacturer as to how to sterilize it, you can't do it.

[msnascarolina]

Sonny, thank you for replying.... I thought that a few years ago there was contraversy about paper count sheets in trays because paper can't be sterlizied, I can't find anything on AAMI nor can I get a response from Natalie Lind. If you have any suggestions please help!!!! Mary

[sonny1388]

As far as I know, you are correct. In fact, I don't know that there has been a verdict one way or the other. In my mind, we don't have manufacturer's instructions on how to sterilize the paper, so we can't sterilize it. Does that mean we don't? Not really, we still run count sheets inside of the sets, but we make as much effort as posible to separate the paper and the instruments with a towel which are removed promptly after opening. However, I don't think I would be comfortable using a piece of paper in the procedure thinking that it is sterile. I am wondering if there is something that they could use instead of paper?