Peel pouches inside trays

[New SPD Manager]

Is it true that there is a fairly new AAMI recommendation that we should no longer put peel pouches inside trays for holding smaller instruments and pieces? :confused:

[nancy gusler]

At a resent NC conference, it was stated that pouches have never been appoved to be placed inside of the trays for smaller instruments. Anyone that is doing so you are doing it because of convience. We resently ourselves have to use liner material or just place them in the tray.
nancy

[ralphjb]

AAMI ST 46, which is a couple of years old now, clearly states that a poly/paper pouch should not be used inside of a wrapped (or filtered) tray. The reason for this is the "poly" side. The plastic is impervious to the steriliant (gas or steam) and thus creates a potential barrier inside the tray to sterilization, particularly if the poly side of the pouch is up against another item in the tray. A secondary problem with the poly side is that it is water repellant and can contribute to wet pack.

[Guest]

you can put instr inside a peelpack like fcps and knife handles, inside the containers just dont seel it.

[Guest]

Where did you get this information about using peel pouches but not sealing them inside wrapped or container trays?

[Guest]

we do it all the time just dont seel it you'll see once you open it there is no moisture inside

[Ralph Basile]

AAMI ST46 makes no distinction between sealed and unsealed. While leaving the pouch open helps the sterilant penetrate the pouch, it in no way mitigates the key concern with using a poly/paper pouch in a sterilization - that the plastic side will block the sterilant from reaching the surface of any items outside of the pouch. This is why AAMI maintains that poly sided pouches should not be used.