Sterilization, Simplified

As a busy hygienist, Donna Shewbert, RDH, doesn’t have a lot of time to waste during patient appointments. When it comes to sterilization, she needs a durable autoclave pouch that is easy to open in front of her patients and that features an external indicator large enough to see with a quick a glance. The Patterson Pouch Plus delivers, providing an autoclave sterilization bag that makes her more efficient.

“Sterilization can get hectic at times,” Shewbert said, “and Patterson Pouches speed up the workflow by having a tab that easily peels off the first time (even using utility gloves) and folds over evenly along the perforation.”

The sterilization pouches are also puncture resistant, she said, which prevents repackaging because of puncture holes.

“This saves lots of time, not to mention money,” she said. “One and done.”

So Easy to Use

Other sterilization pouches Shewbert has used in the past just aren’t as durable as Patterson Pouch Plus. Most tend to puncture easily when they’re exposed to moisture, and damp gloves can cause the tab to stick. That means the tab doesn’t peel off as easily as it should, and may even tear completely off at the perforation—wasting time and leading to frustration.

The Patterson Pouch Plus bags are made from extra strength, medical grade paper that resists tearing. They also won’t shrink or shrivel under high temperatures.

“It’s easy to peel off the sticky strip with damp gloves,” Shewbert said. “It doesn’t tear at the perforation from the moisture or tear on the strip, which can make it difficult to remove the remaining portion of strip.”

Checking All the Boxes

Patterson Pouch Plus bags are available in various sizes to accommodates diverse instruments, and can be easily opened before and after sterilization.

The self-sealing Patterson Pouch Plus helps make sterilization more efficient, and Shewbert appreciates the fact she doesn’t have to worry about instrument tips piercing either side of the pouch. The pouches are durable, and will even stay sterile for up to 1 year as long as they remain sealed, undamaged, and stored at the right temperature.

Internal and external multiparameter indicators for time, temperature, and pressure are printed directly on the pouch, checking another must-have for Shewbert, who said she is always looking for products that make her “job more efficient and save on time and motion.” Patterson Pouch Plus does exactly that.