Sterilisation Flashcards
Spores are not killed using steam sterilisation but only through filtration
T/F?
false: Spores are not killed by filtration
1) filtration removes micro-organisms
2) spores requires temperature greater than 100 degree Celsius .
Top-to-bottom gowing up in the cleanroom is the only way in wearing the protective clothing
False, three types- top-bottom, bottom-top, inside-out
What are the main methods of sterilisation?
steam sterilisation
dry heat
filtration
You can always choose a rubber closure regardless of the active substance, vehicle and pH of the product
T/F?
False:
Rubber closure need to be compatible with the active substance, vehicle and pH of product - Go back to lecture 1
In the case of a injection controlled by Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, the label should state the total amount
T/F?
False:
Total VOLUME should be stated - Go back to first lecture and check the labelling requirements.
Viruses are only killed using filtration sterilisation?
T/F?
False;
Viruses cannot be killed by filtration:
1) filtration removes microorganisms but
2) the size of the pore 0.22um is bigger so viruses can pass through filters as they are small.
Viruses are killed using heat sterilisation techniques - Go back to final lecture about filtration.
The D value of an organism exposed to a temperature 121°C for 20 min is 5 min. What is the inactivation factor and calculate it?
Waiting for grade IF= 10^t/D = 10^20/5 = 10,000 ??
European cleanroom specification are more stringent (strict) than the US ones?
T/F?
True
because they look at in rest and in operation as well as 5 and 0.5 microns ( go over your second lecture of sterile products)
A constant number of organisms is killed during a sterilisation process
T/F?
False:
A constant proportion , not a constant number of organisms is killed per unit time
Moist heat sterilisation is unsuitable for oils and powders
T/F?
True
The preparation and sterilisation of a product must happen in the same area in the cleanroom
T/F?
False:
Should be separate from other manufacturing areas
Different types of operation must be effectively separated on from another
o Component preparation
o Solution preparation
o Filling
o Sterilisation
Filtration is a terminal sterilisation process
T/f?
False:
filtration is a non-terminal sterilisation method
Latent heat is heat required to raise the temperature of water to its boiling point ?
True/False?
False:
that is sensible heat.
Latent heat is additional heat absorbed when boiling water is converted into steam
Inside the cleanroom, the air supply should be at a positive pressure and of a suitable quality
T/F?
True
High pressure inside the clean room
Single- and multi-dose preparations require bactericides
T/F?
False:
only multi-dose containers require bactericides
What is the BP sterilisation method of choice ?
Sterilisation by saturated steam under pressure is preferred, wherever
applicable, especially for aqueous preparations
moist heat
Using steam sterilisation, aqueous preparation requires a minimum heating at 250°C for 15 min
T/F?
False
Using steam sterilisation, aqueous preparation requires a minimum heating at [121°C] for 15 min
Why do some products need to be sterilised?
- avoid infection
- medical equipment/products bypass innate immune system e.g. parentally administered products
What is meant by sterilisation?
Process that kills or remove all types of viable (living) microorganisms including bacterial spores
what products must be sterile?
why?
- Certain classes of medicinal products + equipment
- Parenterally administered products: IV/IM
- any other formulation in contact with eyes, broken skin, internal organs or tissues, want to keep blood sterile
microorganisms present in those items – bypass bodys first line of defence – give rise to severe infection. Don’t want to introduce anything that may cause infection
What is meant by disinfection?
A process that !reduces! the number of viable vegetative microorganisms but does not necessarily kill spores
What is meant by antisepsis?
how do antiseptics compare to disinfectants?
- Prevention of infection by applying antimicrobial agents to tissues
- Antiseptics are less toxic and less effective than disinfectants
What is meant by a viable cell?
One cell capable of division to form a visible colony on solid nutrient medium or visible turbidity in liquid medium (petri dish with agar to see area) can look to see grow/ do turbidity test
What is meant by a dead cell?
A cell that is not capable of division to form a visible colony on solid nutrient medium or visible turbidity in liquid medium
What is the best-case outcome of a product supposed to be sterile that is non-sterile?
- it’s identified before preparation is issued
- microorganisms induce spoilage of product (physic/chem degradation)
- product removed from use + destroyed
What is the worst-case outcome of a product supposed to be sterile that is non-sterile?
example scenario
- microbial survival not identified BEFORE USE
- infection occurs
Devonport incident (1971-1972)
- 5 patients died from acute endotoxic shock
- dextrose 5% infusion bottles were sterilised w a faulty autoclave
whats needed in place to ensure fatal infection will not occur from worst-case outcome of a product that is non-sterile?
need good quality control !!
whats Bioburden ?
Expression of the number of viable organisms a batch contains
define batch (in terms of contamination…)
Homogeneous collection of sealed packages/ containers, prepared in manner that the risk of contamination is the same for all the items – all contacted if problem
define pyrogens
and whats the most important type in sterile production. what may it lead to?
Substances that when administered to humans/animals result in an increase in temperature (bad- infection).
In sterile production, the most important pyrogen is the “endotoxin” originating in the cell wall of gram negative bacteria. Can lead to death
define endotoxins
High MW lipo-polysaccharides which are water soluble, heat stable (for method of sterilisation), can pass through bacteria proof filters.
how can endotoxins be inactivated?
They can ONLY? be inactivated with dry heat at high temperatures (170-350°C)
8 types of Sterile product formulations, medical products, and devices
- Injections
- Non-injectable sterile fluids
- Opthalmic preparations
- Dressings
- Implants
- Absorbable haemostats
- Surgical materials (e.g. sutures) on opening of skin
- Instruments and equipment ( Syringes, metal instruments, medical devices- endoscopes)
State 3 types of injections which must be sterile
o IV infusions
o Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) fluids
o Small volume injections
State 3 types of Non-injectable sterile fluids which must be sterile
o Non-injectable water,
o Peritoneal dialysis,
o Haemodialysis solutions
State Ophthalmic preparations which must be sterile
Eye drops , lotions and ointments ( Link to SOM1)
what are Absorbable haemostats - products that must be sterile
“Absorbable knitted fabric that is used to control bleeding in surgical procedures”- for blood tests etc
what are 4 general requirements for containers for sterile products
- Chemically compatible with the product: don’t want product to leak and destroy
- Withstand sterilisation – dry heat, don’t want product to break etc
- Maintain sterility of the product
- Permit safe withdrawal of the product
what is The purpose of packaging?
contain and protect the product
EP deifinition of container [ for sterile products ]?
“Article which contains/ is intended to contain a product and is, or may be, in direct contact with it.
The closure is part of the container”
Types of containers for Large volume parenterals (LVP) sterile products?
Rigid and flexible, glass and plastic
Types of containers for Small volume parenterals (SVP) sterile products?
Ampoules, vials, prefilled syringes, novel devices
types of containers for irrigations sterile products?
Glass and plastics, sachets
types of containers for eye drops sterile products?
Glass and plastics
types of containers for eye ointments sterile products?
plastics
main differences in the 2 types of containers for sterile products
Single-dose
- Hold enough for total/ partial use as single administration
- no bactericide
Multi-dose containers e.g. eyedrops
- hold enough for 2 or more doses
- Must contain an excessive number of doses and period between 1st and last doses should not be excessively prolonged
- Multidose formulations require a bactericide – as opened and closed may introduce bacteria
why must Intraspinal injections and intravenous injections greater than 15 ml be single use only?
As they must contain no bactericides
- Thus must be single use only
Materials used for sterile fluid containers
glass:
- ampoules: small containers
- vials: small bottles
plastics
plastic polymers
advantages of using Glass materials for sterile fluid containers
- Good chemical resistance (depends on glass type)
- Don’t absorb/ elute organic ingredients
- Impermeable. With proper closures.
- Easily cleaned
- Transparent – Easy inspection of contents and spoilage
- Rigid & Strong
- Resists puncture
why can glass containers be used to undergo dry heat sterilisation/ be subjected to it?
Can be autoclaved at 121°C or subject to dry heat sterilisation
Disadvantages of using Glass materials for sterile fluid containers
- Breakage during sterilisation (esp. soda glass) like in heat sterilisation
- Attack by alkaline solution
- Get hair-line cracks in transit, allowing entry of moulds
- Much heavier than plastics
- Require venting during administration
- Require inspection & washing prior to use- alcohol swab where needle goes in
- All except ampoules require sealing by closures of a different material, giving problems during autoclaving and risk of interaction between product and closure
describe glass (as an inorganic product of…)
Glass is an inorganic product of fusion that cools to a rigid condition without crystallising
advantages of using plastics for sterile fluid containers
- Relatively unbreakable
- Light ( > 1/10 glass weight)
- Easily fabricated
- Cheap
- Single use
- Small filling ports (less chance of contamination)
- Possible to completely seal by fusion
Disadvantages of using plastics for sterile fluid containers
i.e. what should the used polymers be carefully chosen to avoid:
- Inferior clarity compared to glass -> but can achieve translucency & transparency
- Cannot match the barriers properties of glass to moisture and oxygen
- Additives in plastic: potential leaching in the product
- Sterilisation of fluids in plastic packs -> container must be protected from deformation & bursting
when are plastics used in sterilosation packaging i.e. what did they replace? and problems with plastic ampoules?
became alternatives to glass in LVP packaging but also used on a more limited scale for PVS
Plastic ampoules- easily cracked
2 types of plastic polymers sued as materials for sterile lfuid containers
PVC: polyvinyl chloride
Polyethylene (Polythene)
describe the type of plastic polymer Most widely used in medical industry in containers
- Polymer repeat unit is (CH2-CHCl)n
- Medical used of flexible PVC
IV Tubing
Catheters
Blood bags
LVP containers
describe Polyethylene (Polythene) as plastic polymer sterile product container
melting temp?
o Polymer repeat unit is (CH2-CH2)n
o Fabrication of parenteral containers (provided relatively high-density material is used)
o Withstand sterilisation -> high melting temperature
o Loss of flexibility
o Increase in opacity
closures: how are glass ampoules vs glass vials and bottle closed?
ampoules: by fusion
vials and bottles: need a closure e.g. Elastomeric stopper (rubbers) coupled with a screw
how are Plastic containers closed?
o E.g Boots Polyfusor brand
o Most use elastomeric components in ports
Desirable properties of elastomeric closures: for plastics/ glass vials + bottles
o Compressibility
o Resealability
Factors affecting the selection of a rubber closure
Active drug substance • Vehicle • Preservative, if any • pH of the product • Buffer system • Moisture/gas protection required- could change conc • Colour
Factors affecting the selection of a rubber closure
- Active drug substance
- Vehicle
- Preservative, if any
- pH of the product
- Buffer system
- Moisture/gas protection required- could change conc
- Colour
what do you need to protect in terms of sterile products?
i.e. types of contamination (4)
From contamination & degradation -> protecting the patients • Chemical contamination • Particulate contamination • Microbiological contamination • Pyrogenic contamination
- Physical damage during sterilisation and subsequent handling – transport
- A parenteral container should be completely sealed- Leaks are most commonly due to thermal or mechanical cracks or faulty seals- Tests used to detect ampoule leakers
BP labelling requirements (not dispensing) for sterile products:
For all preparations
- Name of product/ preparation or an approved synonym
- Except in the case of a fixed recipe , the names and proportions of the medicaments
- Names and proportions of any added preservatives additional to, or alternative to any included in the recipe
- Batch number- should any problems be faced
BP labelling requirements (not dispensing) for sterile products:
For injections
- Amount of API in suitable dose volume
- Name + proportion of any added bactericide/ preservative
- Name of any added buffering/ stabilising agent
- Storage conditions- temperature
- Expiry date- 2 years or less
In the case of a product controlled by Misuse of Drugs
Act 1973, what should be stated on general label for injections?
total volume of injection should be stated:
1.1ml
MORPHINE SULPHATE INJECTION BP
PLUS
Containing Morphine Sulphate 10mg in 1ml
example of General label for injections on ampoule
1.1ml
MORPHINE SULPHATE INJECTION BP
Containing Morphine Sulphate 10mg in 1ml
For subcutaneous or intramuscular injection
Expiry date: 1.10.2022
BN:1234
Keep out of Reach of Children
School of Pharmacy, ….