Microbial penetration through three types of double wrappers for sterile packs.

Microbial penetration of sterile packs was studied by using double-wrap (two layers each) muslin, single-wrap (two layers) muslin inner covering with single-wrap (one layer) two-way crepe paper outer covering, and single-wrap (two layers) muslin inner covering with single-layer BAR-BAC wrappers to wrap 20 gauze sponges (2 by 2 in.). These packs were stored on open shelves of a central sterile supply department of a hospital and processed for sterility at weekly intervals. Microorganisms penetrated the double-wrap muslin as early as 28 days, the single-wrap muslin and single-wrap two-way crepe paper combination in 77 days, and the single-wrap muslin and single-layer BAR-BAC combination in 63 days.