[MarMema]

I am not sure prions can be sterlized or even autoclaved away.

[Judith Anne]

That’s my understanding, too.

[conservative cat]

Yeah, I am pretty sure they need to dispose of them not re-sterilize them. I think they can find prions in ashes of stuff that has been burnt up.

[green pastures]

Well, they must not be too concerned, becuase they’ve decided to re-sterilize the instruments and will continue to use them.

“UW Hospital insists exposed surgical tools are safe” -

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10787384

Also—

“Friday Update: UW Hospital & Clinics insists no negligence” —

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/category.asp?C=123753&nav=menu1362_2

On the local early news they just said that if they (the hospital) had suspected CJD, they would have used disposable instruments.

[behzinlea]

Apparently, prions are extremely difficult to deactivate:

http://www.bseinfo.org/scieDeactivationofPrions.aspx

"Prions can be destroyed through incineration providing the incinerator can maintain a temperature of 900 F for four hours. In an autoclave, prions can be deactivated by using a temperature of 270 F at 21 psi for 90 minutes. If the infectious material is in a solution of sodium hydroxide, deactivation will occur after one hour at 250 F and 21 psi."

[Old Professer]

I’m not sure they even have a biological origin.

[tiki]

I didn’t think so either, I thought prions lived forever.

[Getready]

I believe they must be heated at over 500 degrees Fahrenheit
for an hour or so. Autoclaving(over 212 F) will not do it from
what I have read. Very strong acids or bases would do , but
we’re talking very strong acids/bases, not vinegar.
I am not sure most hospitals know it...
The other problem is cross contamination inthe pathology departments
where they get the tissue....