One of these is NOT an approved material for wrapping items to be sterilized.
Select one:
a. Paper derived from cellulose.
b. Combination paper and polypropylene pouches.
c. Woven reusable cloth wrappers.
d. Nonwoven fabrics made from fibers such as polypropylene.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. Woven reusable cloth wrappers.
Woven reusable cloth wrappers are not considered an approved material for wrapping items to be sterilized in a medical or healthcare setting. This is because woven fabrics are not as effective at preventing contamination as other sterilization wrapping materials. Specifically, woven cloth does not provide the same level of barrier protection against bacteria and other pathogens compared to other materials like nonwoven fabrics or paper-based products.
Sterilization wraps need to maintain their integrity throughout the sterilization process to prevent the introduction of contaminants when the wrapped items are being stored or handled. Woven cloth can have tiny openings between the fibers, which may allow microorganisms to pass through. Additionally, woven materials can become contaminated through repeated use and laundering, which makes them less reliable for maintaining a sterile barrier. Reusing woven cloth can lead to wear and tear that compromises the material’s ability to maintain a sterile environment.
In contrast, materials such as paper derived from cellulose, combination paper and polypropylene pouches, and nonwoven fabrics made from polypropylene are commonly used for sterilization wrapping because they provide excellent microbial barrier properties. These materials are designed to be disposable or for single-use, which helps reduce the risk of contamination. Nonwoven fabrics, in particular, are designed to be porous enough to allow steam or gas to penetrate during the sterilization process while also blocking microorganisms from entering once sterilized.
For these reasons, woven reusable cloth wrappers are not considered appropriate for sterilizing purposes in most healthcare settings.