Re: Prostate Seed Sterilization techniques

[Chris Alston <alstonc@odrge.odr.georgetown.edu>]

I suggest that everyone consult their infection control unit (sometimes
called epidemiology) to obtain the house rules on how long, and under what
conditions, seeds/needles may be kept, before resterilization is mandatory.
And, yes, I'm well aware that loaded needles would be, at least, difficult
to sterilize. Note that the house rules are almost certainly following FDA
rules. For instance, it's my impression that, once a hypodermic
syringe/needle is loaded with a drug, that dose must be given to a patient
within twelve (12) hours. If it's not used within that window, it must be
discarded. No doubt, a similar rule exists for implantable devices. I
recommend, further, that anyone who is not taking steps to ensure that their
seeds are sterile, prior to implantation, not announce the fact in a public
forum.

chris alston


>>Does EVERYBODY sterilize their seeds before use???  (and) How long BEFORE
>>the procedure do people load their needles???  I was loading needles on
>>Fridays for our procedures on Monday morning.  I wrapped up the loaded
>>"hot-box" in the sterile green cloths and left them locked in the vault for
>>the weekend.  I'm now being told of some "24 hour rule" which could force me
>>to load the needles right before they are implanted (I guess that would be
>>about 3:00 AM on Monday mornings!!!)
>
>We autoclave the seeds the aftenoon of the day before the implant...we do
>VERY few implants on Monday.
>
>Kent Krugh
>
>
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Chris Alston
alstonc@odrge.odr.georgetown.edu
I am not here a representative of my employer.

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