Leakage of the Sealed Area of New and Reused Peel Pouches

Abstract

Although peel pouches for packing sterile medical supplies are intended by the manufacturer for one-time use only, they have frequently been reused for cost and environmental reasons. This study was aimed to collect relevant information regarding the use of peel pouches in dental clinics and to determine the leakage rate in the seal area during storage of new and reused peel pouches. All 66 dental clinics in Muang District, Khon Kaen Province were approached to participate in a self-administered questionnaire study. In the experimental study, 3 groups of peel pouches, e.g., new, 1st time reuse, and 2nd time reuse peel pouches,
were independently prepared with 600 samples per group and sterilized by autoclave. Then, 20 samples per group were randomly chosen from day 1 to day 30 for testing leakage by injecting toluidine blue solution into the pouches. Leakage channels in the seal area were observed for 5 seconds per side and counted on both sides. A total of 36 questionnaires were returned–a response rate of 54.5%. Reuse of peel pouches at least for one time or more was reported from approximately 93% of dental clinics with several reasons. The results of experimental study surprisingly showed that all 3 groups of peel pouches had leakage channels since the first day of test. Overall, leakage rates of new, 1st time reuse, and 2nd time reuse peel pouches were 64.9%, 56.3%, and 66.3%, respectively. According to the chi-square test, there were statistically significant difference in leakage rates between new and 1st
time reuse peel pouches (p = 0.0026) as well as between 1st time reuse and 2nd time reuse peel pouches (p = 0.0004), but not between new and 2nd time reuse peel pouches (p = 0.6030). In conclusion, more than 90% of dental clinics in Muang District, Khon Kaen Province reuse peel pouches. The leakage rate of new peel pouches is higher than that of 1st time reuse peel pouches, but not different from 2nd time reuse peel pouches.