Steam sterilization chemical indicators are not adequate for monitoring real steam sterilization cycles.

Chemical indicators are commonly used in hospitals to monitor steam sterilization conditions, indicating that medical devices are safe to be used. The results are stored for future evidence in the event of an infection incident root cause analysis. This type of indicator is also becoming an option for cycle monitoring in pharmaceutical steam sterilizers, improving cycle control. They are constructed and tested according to published standards, but contradictory results between chemical indicators and cycle printouts have a critical impact on process control. We found that type 6 chemical indicators used in steam sterilizer cycles did not perform according to their intended use, showing an ″approved″ result in a ″failed″ cycle (a false positive). This study demonstrated that type 6 chemical indicator specifications are not adequate for monitoring steam sterilizers. A change in standards is therefore needed.

Agentes estressores no trabalho e sugestões para amenizá-los: opiniões de enfermeiros de pós-graduação / Stressors agents in workplace and sugestions to soften its: opinions of the post graduation's nurses

A sobrecarga de trabalho, relacionamento e comunicação, características da Instituição e poluição ambiental foram os agentes estressores organizacionais mais citados neste estudo composto por 30 enfermeiras, sendo que a melhoria no planejamento do trabalho, o aspecto de humanização, adequação dos recursos humanos, melhora na comunicação e educação continuada, dentre outras, foram as sugestões identificadas para melhorar estes agentes estressores. Como agentes estressores extra organizacionais, os mais citados foram problemas econômicos e familiares e distância do trabalho/transporte.

The work overload, relationship and comunication problems, institution's characteristics and ambiental pollution were the stressing organization agents with the greatest pontuation in this study composed by 30 nurses. The work planning, work humanization, suitable human resourses, improving comunication and continued education were the suggestions given by nurses to minimize these stressing organizational agents. Analysing the stressing extra organizational agents, economic and familiar problems, work distance and transportation to work , were the most pointed.