The New Era of Flash Sterilization

Flash sterilization was developed for use in the or for emergent need and immediate use of an instrument that was dropped on the floor, forgotten, or unanticipated. Issues and concerns regarding flash sterilization practice run the gamut from overuse to misuse to increased risk for infection transmission to increased costs for the health care facility. Serious consequences of surgical infection and national demands for patient safety highlight the need for added vigilance in the practices of flash sterilization. Today, state of the art products and equipment can help address some of the challenges historically associated with the flash sterilization process. AORN J 86 (July 2007) 58-68. © AORN, Inc, 2007.