According to USA Today, “A substantial increase in coronavirus infections was expected when this week's numbers came out, but nothing like this.”

The intensely rapid spread of the omicron variant and a backlog of cases from the New Year's weekend has resulted in U.S. health authorities tallying more than three times as many new cases as in any previous wave of the coronavirus -- over 1 million reported cases on Monday alone. About 1 in every 100 Americans will have been reported as a positive case in just the last week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

As discussed last week, the healthcare industry contributes to solid waste production, greenhouse gasses, and climate change. While a true statement, the news is that there are also ways that healthcare can reduce the impact it has on the environment, while reducing costs. Rigid reusable sealed sterilization containers are one of the best options for reducing hospital waste. Nevertheless, not all containers are created equal.

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As discussed last week, the healthcare industry contributes to solid waste production, greenhouse gasses, and climate change. While a true statement, the news is that there are also ways that healthcare can reduce the impact it has on the environment, while reducing costs. Rigid reusable sealed sterilization containers are one of the best options for reducing hospital waste. Nevertheless, not all containers are created equal.

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Sustainability is a topic that continues to gain attention in light of climate change and as a healthcare goal. Healthcare can both contribute to the problem and can be at the forefront of change. This week’s blog is a preview of our educational program scheduled for this Thursday. In fact if US healthcare were a nation, it would rank 13th in the world for greenhouse gas emissions? Yet many facilities are developing sustainability programs and discovering how even small changes can have big results. If you want to learn more about this critical subject...

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Are we alone in the universe?

We may find the answer in the next decade or two relying on clues which science provides to help us find the way.  This includes balancing what we understand about our planet and recognizing what we know are the critical elements for life. 

Next month, the launch of the Webb telescope might give us the means to discover whether we find another earth out there, a Planet B.  The search for Planet B is complicated. Nevertheless we know that even in its most extreme conditions, life is carbon based, liquid water is the solvent for biochemistry, and DNA is the code for genetic information. The building blocks for life, hydrogen, oxygen and carbon are found abundantly in the universe. So what does this have to do with Sterile Processing?

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Sterilization containers can help you maintain timely service to the OR

Managing chaos versus and preventing chaos—which would you rather do? You can’t always foresee or prevent disruption; however, if you do see trouble coming, making moves to proactively manage the situation is SMART and can prevent headaches.

Read on to discover a few ways that reusable SteriTite® sterilization containers can keep your department on schedule and bring efficiencies beyond those possible with other containers (and certainly with wrap).

Reduce dependence on wrap

If you’re at one of the facilities dealing with wrap orders filled at 80% allocation, you know that running just 80% of surgeries IS NOT an option. The most straightforward insurance policy against wrap shortfalls is a selection of rigid reusable containers. Keep some in inventory for your most frequently used sets or keep some on hand for loaner drop ins.

Remember, SteriTite containers are universal, thus you can use the same container for steam or low temperature sterilization. Want to speed up the process? Use our paper filters in our perforated bottom container and save up to 20 minutes of dry time. Consider our customization options for processing complex sets. When there’s a place designated for each instrument, it’s easy to identify whether the set is complete.

You can start by transitioning just one service line from sterilization wrap to containers. Or perhaps begin with one supportive surgeon who will collaborate with the sterile processing team to optimize sets, paring down to just the essential instruments. There are many different approaches that will reduce your dependence on wrap and increase efficiency in your department. Even allocating just 10-25% of your monthly wrap budget to container purchases can make a huge difference and will quickly provide a return on investment.

Simplify loaners and turnarounds

Some of the most challenging and wrap-intensive sets are those that walk through your front door 48 hours before a surgery—loaner sets. In particular, heavy ortho/spine sets use the largest volume of wrap and often include a complete set of duplicates, a wasteful but necessary process when using wrap, to avoid reprocessing in case of tears.

Any sets that are turned frequently can be good candidates for containerization. The benefit is twofold: save time in prep and pack and save money by eliminating the cost of wrap, indicator tape, corner protectors, and any other accessories. FYI—a frequently turned set will give you the quickest returns.

Cut down on dry time

SteriTite containers, when used with our paper filters in steam sterilization cycles, have FDA 510(k) clearance for minimum 5- to 8-minute dry times. No other container system can deliver such efficient dry times! Specifics are indicated below.

“SteriTite® containers…may be used for storage and transport after steam sterilization with a reduced dry time. Dry loads will be achieved using a minimum of 5 minutes dry time when using perforated bottom units and a minimum of 8 minutes dry time when using solid bottom units.”

All with an improved environmental footprint

If your facility measures sustainability initiatives, you’ll want to share this information. According to one source, the healthcare industry discards 255 million pounds of blue wrap each year. Switching to containers helps your facility reduce waste. Over a 10-15 year container life span, that really adds up. Choosing paper filters for steam cycles helps minimize dry times and reserves polypropylene filters for low temperature cycles, when polypropylene is in demand for wrap and PPE. Importantly, paper filters are sustainable.

If you’d like to prevent further disruption in your department, and reduce your dependence on sterilization wrap, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and break free. Inquire about our filter, seal, and load card special for increased savings via an automated delivery plan.