Introduction Beryllium, a light-weight metal with a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high tensile strength, is used in surgical instruments because it helps save weight. In addition to being light and strong, beryllium has a low toxicity level (it doesn’t emit any harmful fumes), which makes it ideal for use with patients who have […]

Introduction Spores are a means of survival that bacteria use to reproduce. They are hardy, able to withstand extreme temperatures and other conditions, and can lay dormant for hundreds or thousands of years. Spores can be destroyed by heat, chemicals, radiation and drying out. Heat is the most effective method for killing bacterial spores. Some […]

Introduction Sterilization is a process by which heat or chemicals are applied to medical instruments, surgical equipment and other items. It is one of the most important tools in preventing infections from spreading. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities use sterilization to reduce the risk of infections spreading from one patient to another. Sterilization may also […]

Introduction Sterilizing coins is an important step when making them food-safe. The best way to sterilize coins is to use a chemical called sodium hydroxide. The best way to sterilize coins is to use a chemical called sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is also known as lye, and it's used in many industrial applications because it […]

Introduction Vacuum sealing is a pretty neat way to store your food. It can make your food last up to ten times longer than if it were left out on the counter. Vacuum sealing also keeps out air and other gases that make foods go bad faster. But sometimes when you open the jar, it's […]

Introduction I'm a big advocate of using Clorox Sanitizing Wipes to wipe down my produce and other foods. But is there a right way to use them? Should you sanitize your produce each time you touch it? What if the produce has been through a wash cycle at the grocery store? This article will clear […]

Introduction There are a lot of ways that you can dispose of your sanitary pads. You can flush them down the toilet or throw them away in the trash without wrapping them up first. However, both these options are not good for the environment or for your health. The best way to dispose of sanitary […]

Introduction UV disinfection is a method of sterilization that uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. It's one of the most effective methods for eliminating viruses from an environment and has been used for decades to control pathogens that cause disease in plants and animals. There are two types of ultraviolet lamps: […]

Introduction Surgical drains are used to help continue draining fluids from an area of the body that has been injured by a procedure. The surgeon will place the drain in the incision or wound at the time of surgery, using sterile techniques. After it's placed, your doctor will attach the surgical drain to some type […]

Introduction If you have a Foley catheter, you may be wondering how to properly dispose of it. There are many options for how and where to dispose of used foley catheters. The first thing to know is that the most common way is at home. However, if you want more information about other ways to […]