To investigate the related factors that affect the valid period of sterile items.

Sterile items after well cleaning and disinfection were stored in the supply room with a standard storage conditions, as well as in different storage conditions such as neural therapy room, general surgery dressing room, outpatient and emergency injection room, clean operating room with 120 items respectively. Bacterial culture was performed regularly on the sterile items in different storage rooms.

At 90 d after sterilization, 3 sterile items stored in the outpatient and emergency injection room with paper-plastic packaging had the bacterial growth. At 105 d after sterilization, 2 samples in the general surgery dressing room with paper-plastic packaging were found to have the bacterial growth. At 150 d after sterilization, 1 sample in the general surgery dressing room with non-woven packaging had the bacterial growth. Up to the end of the experiment, no bacterial growth was observed in the sterile items stored in disinfection supply center, neural therapy room and clean operating room.

The factors that affect the valid period of the sterilized items are related to the time. It is necessary to evaluate influencing factors of the valid period of sterile items from various perspectives. Specification, industry standards and provision should be executed to ensure the quality of the sterilized items and prevent nosocomial infection.

Disposable packaging material; Sterilized items; Valid period; Influencing factor