Biomaterial Database

Developing an ethylene oxide quality assurance program. 1983

M Reichert

Regulations concerning the acceptable levels of Ethylene Oxide (EtO) in the hospital work environment have been tightened. The need has increased for both monitoring equipment and for programs to evaluate the results obtained. Development of a program at a community hospital is discussed, with a consideration of equipment cost-effectiveness, availability, and ease of use. The program developed includes both installation of equipment to reduce the levels of EtO in the work area, and purchase of equipment to monitor the EtO levels in the air, and to monitor EtO levels in the "breathing zone" for individual employees. This program also includes the establishment and review of policies concerning the purposes and procedures for EtO use in the hospital. An inservice education program is described, which includes documentation of employee attendance and comprehension, with follow-up to assure compliance with procedures. Monitoring the personnel for exposure to EtO can support the value of instituting such policies.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007318	Inservice Training	On the job training programs for personnel carried out within an institution or agency. It includes orientation programs.	Employee Orientation Programs,Orientation Programs, Employee,On-the-Job Training,Training, Inservice,Employee Orientation Program,On the Job Training,Orientation Program, Employee,Program, Employee Orientation,Programs, Employee Orientation,Training, On-the-Job
D008452	Maximum Allowable Concentration	The maximum exposure to a biologically active physical or chemical agent that is allowed during an 8-hour period (a workday) in a population of workers, or during a 24-hour period in the general population, which does not appear to cause appreciable harm, whether immediate or delayed for any period, in the target population. (From Lewis Dictionary of Toxicology, 1st ed)	Maximum Permissible Exposure Level,MPEL,Maximum Permissible Exposure Concentration,Allowable Concentration, Maximum,Allowable Concentrations, Maximum,Concentration, Maximum Allowable,Concentrations, Maximum Allowable,MPELs,Maximum Allowable Concentrations
D009820	Ohio	State bounded on the north by Michigan and Lake Erie, on the east by Ohio River and Pennsylvania, on the south by Ohio River, and on the west by Indiana.
D011786	Quality Control	A system for verifying and maintaining a desired level of quality in a product or process by careful planning, use of proper equipment, continued inspection, and corrective action as required. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	Control, Quality,Controls, Quality,Quality Controls
D002495	Central Supply, Hospital	Hospital department responsible for receiving, storing, and distributing medical and surgical supplies and equipment.	Hospital Central Supplies,Hospital Central Supply,Supplies, Hospital Central,Supply, Hospital Central,Central Supplies, Hospital
D005027	Ethylene Oxide	A colorless and flammable gas at room temperature and pressure. Ethylene oxide is a bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal disinfectant. It is effective against most micro-organisms, including viruses. It is used as a fumigant for foodstuffs and textiles and as an agent for the gaseous sterilization of heat-labile pharmaceutical and surgical materials. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p794)	Oxirane,Oxide, Ethylene
D006745	Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499	The number of beds from 300 to 499 which a hospital has been designed and constructed to contain. It may also refer to the number of beds set up and staffed for use.