Leave Flashing to Cameras: There is no need for IUSS with SteriTite

Risky business

Flash sterilization in the 1990s and even early in this millennium was used to rapidly sterilize surgical instruments in emergency situations, when unexpected delays backed-up the OR, or if a critical instrument was dropped before surgery. It was a way to keep the OR on schedule without necessarily considering the options. At the time, gravity displacement steam was the method of choice used in the OR to sterilize instruments. The problem with gravity displacement steam is that it takes too much time, has no vacuum and needs to have a vented base to drain the retained moisture. The acronym “flash” became immediate use steam sterilization or “IUSS” which required documentation and rationale for use but made everybody feel better. IUSS is not terminal sterilization and by extension, may not be safe and certainly doesn’t provide the same level of sterility maintenance as a full cycle with a dry outcome. The Joint Commission, AAMI, and the FDA all recommend against using IUSS sterilization and many facilities have phased it out. Years ago, Case Medical developed an option, a filter-less valve mechanism called FlashTite to use with its SteriTite container for IUSS. We don’t need it anymore, nor do you.

A better way with SteriTite

Few facilities wanted to use IUSS because of the risks and because of the justification and the documentation required. We questioned why no one considered how to eliminate IUSS using their existing container with rapid sterilization cycles. We did just that. We tested, validated, and obtained an FDA 510k for rapid terminal sterilization using our SteriTite container with paper filters. One of IUSS sterilization’s few benefits was the quickness that instruments could be ready for use, as sterilization in an autoclave could take an hour or more with extended dry time to avoid wet loads. With Case Medical’s SteriTite Universal container system, this problem has been solved with a validated, 5-8 minute minimum dry time. This means that instruments can be sterilized properly in an autoclave, with short turnaround times even in an emergency. Overall, with the SteriTite container system, inventory can move through SPD much faster, reducing delays while improving efficiency and addressing patient safety.

We have taken FlashTite out of our catalog

Case Medical recently released the 2026 revision of its catalog, now available for viewing online by clicking here. In addition to a few other improvements and changes, the section on FlashTite containers and its associated baskets have been removed. We feel that it is no longer necessary to promote products for IUSS given the concerns of the healthcare industry and regulatory authorities, and when better options are available with SteriTite. We have your back and will continue to address issues you identify for staff and patient safety. Nevertheless, FlashTite valve plates will still be available for special order upon request. Simply attach them to the vented area of your SteriTite container and now you have a filter less option for those emergency situations. You can reach out to customer service, or your territory manager for more details. Once again, use our container with paper filters, verify the process in your department. You might find that you can now terminally sterilize your instrument sets in half the time.

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Kindest Regards,

Marcia Frieze and the Case Medical team

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