Product Evaluation

CROSSTEX INTERNATIONAL

Sure-Check®, STEAMPlus?, and ConFirm® 10 Crosstex Sterilization System

The Crosstex Sterilization System provides quick and reliable sterilization, confirmation, and monitoring results.

"We have already switched to this brand after using the System,? said a dental assistant who rated all features of the Crosstex Sterilization System as excellent.

The comprehensive Crosstex Sterilization System includes the company?s patent-pending Sure-Check® Sterilization Pouches, the STEAMPlus? Class 5 Integrator, and the ConFirm® 10 Biological Monitoring System. The 12 dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants who evaluated the system rated features such as ease of use, effectiveness, and staff satisfaction.

Ease of Use

Manufacturer Description: Sure-Check Pouches meet CDC guidelines and eliminate the extra step of adding separate multi-parameter indicators to each pouch. Sure-Check Pouches only change color when all 3 criteria for sterilization have been met (Time, Temperature, and Steam). STEAMPlus Integrators? provide an immediate pass/fail visual read-out to detect potential sterilizer failures; while the ConFirm 10 Monitoring System offers everything needed for effective weekly biological monitoring of steam sterilizers, including the incubator and biological indicator vials (sold separately), record-keeper book and manual.

Evaluator Feedback: With comments such as ?very user-friendly,? 10 of the 11 evaluators rated ease of using the system as excellent or very good. When asked what she?d like to see improved, a dentist who rated all features as very good said, ?With the ConFirm 10, wish there was a quicker way?but growing a culture always takes time we realize.?

Effectiveness and Sterility Assurance

Manufacturer Description: Sure-Check Pouches provide a high level of sterility assurance with built-in internal/external multi-parameter steam sterilization indicators that enable confirmation of time, temperature, and the presence of steam. STEAMPlus Integrators parallel biological spore testing so closely, that practices using integrators once daily, or with every load, can release non-implant loads immediately with less disruption of potential costly recalls when alerted to biological failures; while the ConFirm 10 Monitoring System contains viable, highly resistant spores and can provide in-office biological monitoring results in just 10 hours, with actual spore growth detected from failures in as soon as 3 to 5 hours.

Evaluator Feedback: Effectiveness of sterilization was rated as excellent by 9 evaluators, one of whom noted that, ?The
STEAMPlus Integrators and pouch indicators give immediate confirmation that adequate sterilization conditions were achieved.? This same evaluator went on to say, ?The best thing was being able to run multiple checks within our surgical kits, not just the autoclave as a whole.?
When asked if the system provides added confidence in assuring sterility, 8 evaluators rated this feature as excellent. A dental assistant who said, ?I like having the ability to test in my office, however it is another step to perform,? went on to say, ?Sterilization is a major role in the dental office. It is comforting to know we are protecting our patients and our staff.?

Staff Satisfaction

Manufacturer Description: The Crosstex Sterilization System provides assurance of proper sterilization protocol for dental patients and practice. According to the CDC and ADA guidelines for biological testing should be accomplished at least weekly. The Crosstex Sterilization System saves time and maximizes efficiency with quick and reliable confirmation of chemical and biological monitoring results at several intervals. In using the system, staff receives peace of mind in knowing that instrumentation was properly sterilized to ensure appropriate infection control.

Evaluator Feedback: Staff satisfaction was rated as excellent or very good by 8 evaluators. When asked what they liked most about the system, several evaluators cited the immediate results. ?The staff loved the pouches and STEAMPlus,? said a dentist in practice for 14 years. ?The vials took a little longer but overall the results came through faster than a mail-in system.? A North Carolina dentist who said he ?prefers off-site testing for [the] autoclave? identified, ?Quick turnaround, easy to read results, ease of implementation,? as the features he liked most. ?The entire staff [was] happy with the product,? said a hygienist who called the system much better than similar products.

Overall Satisfaction

With remarks such as, ?Overall, [it is] excellent for the price,? and, ?I loved the system; it is very comprehensive and thorough,? 9 evaluators rated overall satisfaction with the Crosstex Sterilization System as excellent or very good. Nine evaluators said they would definitely or probably purchase the system in the future. A Massachusetts hygienist with 23 years of experience reported that, ?[The] office plans to continue to use this product.?