Problems With Medline Containers

Medline containers, developed in Germany and available in the United Stats since 1990, are used in medical settings. The containers are used to sterilize instruments for medical staff using a steam pre-vacuuming sterilization system. Medical equipment, such as surgical knives, are placed in the container. The container is turned on and the system cleans and sterilizes the medical equipment by using high heat in the form of steam. The equipment is then stored in the container. Since they are reusable, Medline containers are environmentally friendly options.

Limited Use Options

• Medline containers are limited in the sterilization options. The containers are steam pre-vacuuming units. It cannot use gas, plasma or stream gravity sterilization options because the container is pressure activated. The pressure of other systems is not enough to sterilize with the Medline container.

Lack of Perforations

• There are no perforations on the bottom of the container. This means that steam gravity flash sterilization, which is a fast sterilization option for medical equipment, is not an option because the container will not drain fast enough. Since the drain time takes longer, the container cannot dry properly, which is a problem for a sterilization unit. The container does not have any holes, which results in pooled water using a faster cleaning option. As a result, the container cannot dry fast enough to keep the medical equipment sterile.

Limited Weight

• Medline containers cannot hold more than 10 pounds. Large medical equipment, such as a pneumonic drill set used in surgery, would become too heavy for a single container. The smaller containers are even more limited because they can only hold between 2 and 7 pounds.