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Table 1  Summary of Recommendations
           Type                             Temperature            Concentration               Time
           Sterilization
           Autoclave                       121°C (250°F)                n/a                 15 to 30 min
           Flash sterilization             132°C (270°F)                n/a                  3 to 10 min
           Dry heat oven                   170°C (340°F)                n/a                   60 min
           Microwave                       2.45GHz range                n/a                 60 s to 5 min
           High-level disinfection
           Boiling                         100°C (212°F)                n/a                   20 min
           Glutaraldehyde                       n/a                 2% Solution               30 min
           Hydrogen peroxide                    n/a                 6% Solution               30 min
           Chloramine                           n/a               20g per 1L of H O           15 min
                                                                              2
           Povidone-iodine                      n/a                    2.5%                   15 min
           Low-level disinfection
           Dakin’s Solution                     n/a                   Variable                30 min
           Antiseptic
           Chlorhexidine                        n/a                   0.05%
           Normal saline                        n/a             2 teaspoons in 1L H O
                                                                                2

          to  operate. Nevertheless, once used, these instruments     3.  Darmady EM, et al. Sterilization by dry heat. J Clin Pathol.
          should be made safe to reuse between casualties, despite   1961;14:38–44.
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                                                                of surgical instruments (medical devices) used in acute care
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                                                                1999;20:458.
                                                             12.  US Army Institute for Military Assistance.  ST 31-91B US
          Funding                                               Army Special Forces medical handbook. March 1982.
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