In low-temperature sterilization, Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma (~50–60°C) is currently considered one of the safest and most effective solutions, particularly suitable for heat-sensitive medical devices. However, when selecting equipment that truly meets operational needs, several important professional factors must be carefully evaluated.
Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma technology is often a priority choice for hospitals when first investing in a low-temperature sterilization system. Nevertheless, choosing the right system requires consideration of multiple technical and operational aspects.
So, what factors should hospitals consider when selecting a plasma sterilizer?
1. Sterilization Chamber Capacity – The First Factor to Consider
Chamber capacity is typically categorized as:
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- Small capacity: 40 – 80 L
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- Medium capacity: 80 – 130 L
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- Large capacity: ≥ 140 L
However, an important point that is often overlooked is the difference between total chamber volume and usable (effective) volume.
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• Total chamber volume: the geometric volume of the sterilization chamber.
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• Usable volume: the actual volume available for loading medical devices.
=> Therefore, equipment should be compared based on usable capacity rather than total chamber volume.
2. Standards and Certifications
A sterilization device should comply with recognized international standards, such as:
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• ISO 13485:2016 => Quality management systems for medical devices
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• CE MDR 2017/745 - European Medical Device Regulation
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FDA: Regulatory system of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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• ISO 14001 => Environmental management systems
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• ISO 14937 => Sterilization of health care products – General requirements for sterilizing agents
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• In addition, certification for the sterilization of Da Vinci robotic surgical instruments is a significant indicator of system capability, as these instruments are among the most complex devices to sterilize effectively.
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=> The more international standards a system complies with, the higher the level of quality assurance and safety control.
3. Sterilant – A Factor That Directly Impacts Operational Costs
The sterilant used in plasma technology is Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) at approximately 56–60% concentration. Hospitals should consider the following:
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• What type of sterilant cartridge is used?
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• Is the sterilant single-dose or multi-dose Multi-dose systems may lead to chemical expiration after loading into the machine if usage is slow, potentially causing unnecessary waste.
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What is the shelf life of the sterilant? This directly affects inventory management and procurement planning.
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Does the sterilant expire after being loaded into the system?
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Does the sterilant cartridge include RFID identification to allow the system to monitor usage and expiration?
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4. Plasma Technology
The purpose of generating plasma is to remove residual hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) after the gas exposure phase, ensuring that no toxic or hazardous residues remain for operators or the environment after the sterilization cycle.
During this stage, hydrogen peroxide is decomposed into water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂).
Therefore, the efficiency of residual H₂O₂ removal is a critical factor, and systems with superior residue elimination capabilities should be prioritized.
5. Additional Operational Considerations
Beyond the factors above, hospitals should also evaluate:
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- Humidity detection systems before sterilant injection
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- Sterilant optimization capability when a cycle is aborted
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- Ergonomic design, such as automatic sliding doors and foot pedals
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- Quality and durability of internal components
=> Investing in the right plasma sterilization system significantly enhances infection prevention and control (IPC) effectiveness, ensures patient safety, and optimizes long-term operational costs for healthcare facilities.
Dương Gia is committed to partnering with hospitals and medical centers nationwide in adopting modern solutions to enhance endoscopy practice quality and patient care, contributing to a safe, sustainable, and internationally standardized healthcare environment.
Content responsibility: Mr Nam 096 8077 996