I watched a lot of playoff football this weekend. There were a lot of close games and come-from-behind victories. Many quarterbacks took quite a beating. Some more than others, depending on the level of protection they are receiving from their offensive line. The better protection they have, the more time they have to successfully execute during the game.
Sterile packaging is a lot like the offensive line of the sterile processing field. It provides protection to surgical instruments in order to execute successfully. Quality packaging needs to be strong and reliable in order to prevent failures. Packaging failures are of two types: bursting during sterilization and film tear and/or paper shear when opening a package. Bursting is the result of inadequate seal strength between the plastic laminate and the medical grade paper. Tearing and shearing is the result of a laminate that is weaker than the seal strength between the laminate and the paper. A strong seal strength can lead to tearing of a weak laminate. A seal weak enough to protect the laminate, is more likely to burst under the radical pressure changes imposed by modern pre-vacuum sterilizers. The key to reducing failure is a stronger laminate.
Using industry quality products like Steriking® pouches will keep you ahead in the sterile processing game!
Matthew Smith
Senior Manager of Marketing
