Range validates hydrogen peroxide vapour sterilisation

VHP sterilisation is used as a surface sterilising agent in an increasing range of applications. For example, in the pharmaceutical, medical device and healthcare industries VHP is used to protect critical processes by surface sterilising components and consumable packaging in isolators and Restricted Access Barrier Systems (RABS).

In response to increasing use of VHP decontamination methods, Cherwell has adapted its air samplers, Redipor culture media, gamma irradiated settle plates and contact plates with hydrogen peroxide vapour systems.

The SAS air sampler range includes models that can remain permanently in the isolator and be sanitised in place with hydrogen peroxide.

Barrier Pack, gas impermeable packaging for the Redipor range of prepared microbiological media, enables agar plates to be presented in packs where the inner layer is impermeable to the vapour therefore protecting the agar medium during gassing.

A range of spore suspensions and specialist biological indicators developed by Apex Laboratories for monitoring vaporised hydrogen peroxide sterilisation are also available from Cherwell.

As VHP sterilisation at ambient pressure works on surfaces but does not penetrate well, validation of the process presents unique challenges.

The biological indicators used to validate hydrogen peroxide sterilisation must therefore present a sufficient population, greater than 1 x 10⁶, as a monolayer on a clean, smooth stainless steel surface.

Apex biological indicators have been developed so the envelope in which they are presented protects the biological indicator, whilst allowing the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate.