**Advanced Sterilization Products Recognized at the 2024 Medical Device Network Excellence Awards**
In a significant achievement for the healthcare industry, Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), a global leader in infection prevention and sterilization technologies, has been recognized at the prestigious 2024 Medical Device Network Excellence Awards. This accolade highlights ASP’s continued commitment to innovation, safety, and quality in the field of medical device sterilization, a critical component in ensuring patient safety and reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
### The Importance of Sterilization in Healthcare
Sterilization is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, ensuring that medical devices and instruments are free from harmful pathogens before they come into contact with patients. Inadequate sterilization can lead to the transmission of infections, which can have severe consequences for patient outcomes and healthcare systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HAIs affect hundreds of millions of patients globally each year, leading to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and, in some cases, death.
ASP has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge sterilization technologies that address these challenges. Their products are used in hospitals, surgical centers, and other healthcare facilities worldwide to ensure that medical instruments are properly sterilized and safe for use.
### ASP’s Award-Winning Innovations
At the 2024 Medical Device Network Excellence Awards, ASP was recognized for its groundbreaking contributions to the field of sterilization, particularly for its **STERRAD® Sterilization Systems** and **EVOTECH® Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor**.
#### 1. **STERRAD® Sterilization Systems**
The STERRAD® systems use hydrogen peroxide gas plasma technology to sterilize medical instruments, offering a faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sterilization methods such as steam or ethylene oxide. The system is particularly effective for heat-sensitive instruments, which are increasingly common in modern medical procedures.
One of the key advantages of the STERRAD® system is its ability to sterilize instruments without leaving harmful residues, ensuring that devices are safe for immediate use. Additionally, the system’s rapid cycle times allow healthcare facilities to process more instruments in less time, improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of instrument shortages during critical procedures.
#### 2. **EVOTECH® Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor**
Endoscopes are complex medical devices that are notoriously difficult to clean and sterilize due to their intricate design and the fact that they come into direct contact with internal tissues. ASP’s EVOTECH® system automates the cleaning and high-level disinfection of endoscopes, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring consistent, reliable results.
The EVOTECH® system is the first of its kind to be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for both cleaning and disinfection, making it a game-changer in the field of endoscope reprocessing. By automating the process, the system not only improves patient safety but