We built a traceability system for the management of individual surgical instruments by using 2D symbol and Radio Frequency Identification tags, for the purpose of improving the quality of infection control and risk management, operational improvements and accurate asset management.
With this system, we have been able to identify both surgical instruments and patients in a short period of time. It indicates that the traceability system is effective in infection control and risk management. In addition, restoration of discarded data on surgical instruments could be recorded in this system.
Therefore, it would be easy to have an accurate inventory and cost data, which may be utilized to make a budget. Consequently, the traceability management will be useful for hospital management. From this time forward, we think that the verification of cost-effectiveness and the standardization of traceability system will be needed.

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Cell-phones have a possibility to interfere with medical equipment, and using a cell-phone is restricted in some or all areas in many medical institutions. Cell-phone jamming equipment (CJE) has been introduced in critical areas to prevent cell-phone use. The CJE that were developed for medical use will not interfere with medical equipment nor other communication systems. There are many such devices that one can easily get on the internet or by mail order. This study investigated the malfunction of irradiated medical equipment and Wireless LAN (WLAN) by that type of CJE. We investigated 20 medical devices and 3 WLAN routers. The CJE interfered with four types of medical equipment and all WLAN routers that were investigated. One syringe pump raised an occlusion alarm and stopped infusion at a maximum distance of 22 cm from the CJE. One WLAN router was disconnected at a maximum distance of 6.2 meter. The maximum interference distance of medical equipment was comparatively smaller than that of the WLAN routers. Therefore, serious malfunction of medical equipment by CJE is probably not threatening. However, the malfunction of WLAN might affect clinical work using networks, because some WLAN routers or communication systems were susceptible to interference by CJE.

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BACKGROUND. The decontamination procedure for reusable surgical instruments is usually performed by hands. The manual for them in clinical setting is wondered whether effectively recommended in details.
PURPOSE. To know the actual situation of the manuals in clinical settings and to aid at the improvement.
METHODS. The manuals for decontamination of reusable surgical instruments in forty-six hospitals have been investigated. Electrical conductivity was employed as indicator for the efficacy of decontamination procedure with water rinsing. The conductivity is increased by ionized chemicals in rinsing water. The methods of pouring tap water into rinsing container were evaluated by the conductivities.
RESULTS. In more than 90% of the replied hospitals, they have no manuals on the details of decontaminating procedures. When the rinsing water in the container was fully exchanged, the conductivity showed the lower value.
CONCLUSION. The simple method to exchange once the full water in rising container during the procedure is effective for high quality rinsing without waste excess water.

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Background: The incidence of hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) in the proximity of low temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (LTHPGP) sterilisers and residual HPV on and in packs of surgical devices sterilised with LTHPGP was found in a series of studies to be higher than expected.
Objective: To evaluate adverse events associated with HPV in clinical settings.
Methods: A questionnaire on the adverse events associated with HPV was sent to certified sterilisation service technicians (CSST) and certified sterilisation specialists (CSS), of the Japanese Society of Medical Instrumentation.
Results: Among 774 replies, 472 facilities employed LTHPGP sterilisers. Of 472 facilities, 136 (28.8%) had experienced adverse events caused by LTHPGP sterilisation.
Conclusion: In order to utilize HP sterilisation effectively, the safety of HPV should be carefully considered for patients and personnel engaged in central services.

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