Nowadays, hospitals, dental offices, and laboratories are using custom procedure trays to reduce cost and to optimize their tasks. Custom procedure trays are not like any other trays. These trays are used with utmost care and maintained properly. Otherwise, they become contaminated with bacteria and airborne diseases.
Using custom procedure trays are very convenient for medical professionals. However, they must be used in a strictly controlled environment such as operating rooms and laboratories. Custom procedure trays are not recommended to be used outdoor or anywhere outside hospitals except in special cases like medical missions or emergency situation in which custom procedure trays can be disposed of after use.
Custom procedure trays are used to hold some hospital or laboratory tools such as forceps, syringes, and the like. These tools must be clean and free from contaminants before being used for surgical operation. Therefore, custom procedure trays should also be free from contaminants.
In operating rooms and hospital storage rooms, pressurization is applied. This is to ensure that the airflow is thick and static in order to contain the air from moving anywhere. This is because the airflow in such areas may be contaminated with airborne diseases.
To make sure airborne contaminants will not reach other objects and surfaces, they must be contained where they are by means of high level of air pressure in the interior. Otherwise, free airflow may carry and spread air contaminants.
Operating rooms, storage rooms, and laboratories must always be pressurized in order to control the air flow. Although it does not eliminate nor drive away air contaminants, pressurization can freeze them.
Since custom procedure trays are very sensitive, they should only be used in controlled environment such as operating rooms and laboratories. When they are stored, the area must also be pressurized.
Custom procedure trays are disinfected and sterilized after use. Even so, they are also pressurized in order to prevent them from being exposed to air contaminants that may linger inside storage rooms.
In hospitals, storage areas are not like ordinary compartments where tools and devices are kept. Storage areas in hospitals, dental offices, and laboratories do not only protect surgical tools from other tangible objects but also from airborne contaminants.
If storage places are not pressurized, the airflow that may carry airborne diseases may penetrate the interior of storage areas. Therefore, pressurization literally blocks and freezes airflow, so that air contaminants can’t touch any object.
Pressurization works like blowing a balloon or a plastic bag. The thicker the air the balloon has inside, the more pressurized the interior is. In hospitals and laboratories, pressurization is done by just increasing the oxygen inside.
However, pressurization must also allow for breathing space, so as not to suffocate whoever is inside. Aside from oxygen and other special equipment used for pressurization, the air conditioning system may also help in the process to contain the air flow while moderately providing fresh air.
Pressurized areas may not necessarily be pressurized on 24/7 basis. There are times the areas must go through filtration and dilution in order to change the air and decontaminate the areas.
Custom procedure trays are used and kept in pressurized areas, but there are also other methods in which they can be protected from contaminants. Aside from pressurization, they should also be disinfected and sterilized properly. Dry sterilization is the most common sterilization process applied to them.