Analysis of Wet Pack Incidence in Steam Sterilization: A Study in a Chinese Medical Center

17 March 2024: Lab/In Vitro Research

Yanhua Chen ^12BEF* , Li Bao ^3BC* , Liangying Yi ^12AG* , Ruixue Hu ^12CD

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942601

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942601

Table 1 Single-factor analysis of factors associated with wet pack occurrence after steam sterilization.

Variable	Description	Wet packs	Non-wet packs	Chi-square (χ2)	P value
Weather	Sunny	41	1371	24.842
	Overcast	24	1405
	Rainy	63	1195
Item in the sterilized pack	Dressing	22	2372	92.395
Item in the sterilized pack	Instrument	106	1599	92.395
Packaging material	Cotton fabrics	13	1442	48.230
	Non-woven fabrics	75	1306
	Paper-plastic combinations	40	1223
Whether the pack had been laid flat, leaning at an acute angle, or upright	Flat	46	1842	8.922	0.012
	Acute angle	51	1119
	Upright	31	1010
Person responsible for sterilization	Nurse	25	662	0.727	0.394
Person responsible for sterilization	Non-nurse healthcare worker	103	3309	0.727	0.394
Sterilizer used for sterilization of packs	No. 1	34	1116	0.146	0.702
Sterilizer used for sterilization of packs	No. 2	94	2855	0.146	0.702
Placement of the pack on the top or bottom shelf inside the sterilizer chamber	Top shelf	34	2211	42.436	< 0.001
	Bottom shelf	94	1760	42.436	< 0.001
Whether the pack had been loaded in compliance with guidelines?	Yes	37	1442	2.950	0.086
	No	91	2529	2.950	0.086
Whether the item had been packaged in compliance with guidelines?	Yes	82	3540	75.877
	No	46	431	75.877
Cooling time after sterilization	≥30 min	46	2723	60.252
Cooling time after sterilization		82	1248	60.252