Podcast
Questions and Answers
What should the sterilizer access area pressure be?
What should the sterilizer access area pressure be?
Negative with 10 air exchanges per hour
What two steps are involved in decontamination?
What two steps are involved in decontamination?
- Manual and/or automated mechanical cleaning, 2. Application of a thermal or chemical disinfection process
Define cleaning.
Define cleaning.
The removal of contamination from an item to the extent necessary for further processing or for the intended use.
Nosocomial infections are well documented and caused by?
Nosocomial infections are well documented and caused by?
What are employee hazards in the decontamination process?
What are employee hazards in the decontamination process?
How do you properly clean a device?
How do you properly clean a device?
What is the starting point in sterilization?
What is the starting point in sterilization?
Define decontamination.
Define decontamination.
What are physical safety hazards?
What are physical safety hazards?
What is the weakest point of an instrument?
What is the weakest point of an instrument?
What does the ABC system stand for?
What does the ABC system stand for?
What is just in time distribution?
What is just in time distribution?
What are specialty/procedure carts?
What are specialty/procedure carts?
What is case cart distribution?
What is case cart distribution?
What is the exchange cart distribution?
What is the exchange cart distribution?
What is par level distribution?
What is par level distribution?
What is demand distribution?
What is demand distribution?
What are the most common distribution systems?
What are the most common distribution systems?
What is the air pressure of the sterile storage area?
What is the air pressure of the sterile storage area?
What is shelf life?
What is shelf life?
When are packs most vulnerable to contamination?
When are packs most vulnerable to contamination?
What is it when a sterilizer's ability is tested under worst case conditions?
What is it when a sterilizer's ability is tested under worst case conditions?
What is it called when a sterilizer is tested for sterilization under actual use conditions?
What is it called when a sterilizer is tested for sterilization under actual use conditions?
How often is a Bowie Dick test ran?
How often is a Bowie Dick test ran?
How much space should be between packages and the chamber wall?
How much space should be between packages and the chamber wall?
How should paper-plastic pouches be placed in a sterilizer?
How should paper-plastic pouches be placed in a sterilizer?
How should basins be placed in a sterilizer?
How should basins be placed in a sterilizer?
What should be placed on the bottom of the rack in a mixed load?
What should be placed on the bottom of the rack in a mixed load?
What should be placed on the top shelf?
What should be placed on the top shelf?
Textile packs should be placed how in a sterilizer?
Textile packs should be placed how in a sterilizer?
Solid bottom trays should be loaded how?
Solid bottom trays should be loaded how?
How should mesh bottom containers be loaded into the sterilizer?
How should mesh bottom containers be loaded into the sterilizer?
If packages are still moist when the sterilizer doors are opened, bacteria can do what?
If packages are still moist when the sterilizer doors are opened, bacteria can do what?
How does steam sterilization occur?
How does steam sterilization occur?
What cases are proven to have prions?
What cases are proven to have prions?
When should a flash sterilizer be monitored?
When should a flash sterilizer be monitored?
What cannot be processed in an express cycle?
What cannot be processed in an express cycle?
When should a flash sterilizer be used?
When should a flash sterilizer be used?
How are liquids sterilized?
How are liquids sterilized?
What occurs during the drying phase?
What occurs during the drying phase?
What occurs during the exhaust phase?
What occurs during the exhaust phase?
What occurs during the sterilization/exposure/holding phase?
What occurs during the sterilization/exposure/holding phase?
What occurs during the conditioning phase of steam sterilizers?
What occurs during the conditioning phase of steam sterilizers?
Where should the Bowie Dick test be placed in a steam sterilizer?
Where should the Bowie Dick test be placed in a steam sterilizer?
Where is the sterilizer's heat-sensing thermometer located?
Where is the sterilizer's heat-sensing thermometer located?
What provides heat inside the chamber and prevents condensation in a steam sterilizer?
What provides heat inside the chamber and prevents condensation in a steam sterilizer?
Where is the dedicated steam supply made?
Where is the dedicated steam supply made?
Steam kills microorganisms by _______ the protein.
Steam kills microorganisms by _______ the protein.
Removing as many microorganisms as possible before sterilization enhances the probability of microbial kill.
Removing as many microorganisms as possible before sterilization enhances the probability of microbial kill.
What is the air exchange in sterile storage?
What is the air exchange in sterile storage?
What is the suggested release temperature of packs?
What is the suggested release temperature of packs?
How far from the floor should medical devices be stored?
How far from the floor should medical devices be stored?
How far should shelving be from outside walls?
How far should shelving be from outside walls?
What kind of pressure should the sterilization area be under?
What kind of pressure should the sterilization area be under?
What is the coldest area of the sterilizer?
What is the coldest area of the sterilizer?
What are the three parameters of steam sterilization?
What are the three parameters of steam sterilization?
What are the two types of cycles in steam sterilization?
What are the two types of cycles in steam sterilization?
What are the phases of the cycle?
What are the phases of the cycle?
It takes a certain ______ to reach a certain ____________.
It takes a certain ______ to reach a certain ____________.
What are the types of sterilization processes used?
What are the types of sterilization processes used?
What does a class on indicator respond to?
What does a class on indicator respond to?
Geobacillus stearothermophilus must be incubated at what temp?
Geobacillus stearothermophilus must be incubated at what temp?
What should the incoming saturated steam dryness be?
What should the incoming saturated steam dryness be?
What should the sterility assurance level be?
What should the sterility assurance level be?
When a new sterilizer comes in or is relocated how many consecutive biologicals must be ran in an empty sterilizer?
When a new sterilizer comes in or is relocated how many consecutive biologicals must be ran in an empty sterilizer?
How many air exchanges should there be in the sterilization area?
How many air exchanges should there be in the sterilization area?
Class five responds to?
Class five responds to?
Class three responds to?
Class three responds to?
Biological monitors contain?
Biological monitors contain?
The biological used for steam, ozone, and peracetic sterilization contains?
The biological used for steam, ozone, and peracetic sterilization contains?
The biological used for EtO, gas plasma, and dry heat contains?
The biological used for EtO, gas plasma, and dry heat contains?
Adequate cleaning will lead to easier sterilization because it reduces present bioburden.
Adequate cleaning will lead to easier sterilization because it reduces present bioburden.
When must a control biological be run?
When must a control biological be run?
When are biologicals placed for steam sterilization?
When are biologicals placed for steam sterilization?
Where do you place biologicals for EtO sterilization?
Where do you place biologicals for EtO sterilization?
Where are biologicals placed for gas plasma sterilization?
Where are biologicals placed for gas plasma sterilization?
If no microorganisms survived, the biological test is positive or negative?
If no microorganisms survived, the biological test is positive or negative?
If microorganisms survive, the biological test is considered positive or negative?
If microorganisms survive, the biological test is considered positive or negative?
If bacteria live what color does the biological turn?
If bacteria live what color does the biological turn?
When a BI tests positive you must?
When a BI tests positive you must?
Steam sterilizers should be monitored at a minimum of?
Steam sterilizers should be monitored at a minimum of?
Each package run through sterilizers should be labeled with what?
Each package run through sterilizers should be labeled with what?
What must CSD comply with?
What must CSD comply with?
What is decontamination?
What is decontamination?
What does the EPA regulate?
What does the EPA regulate?
What agencies govern central sterile departments?
What agencies govern central sterile departments?
Is JCAHO a government agency?
Is JCAHO a government agency?
The standards of __________ affect most areas of the health care facility.
The standards of __________ affect most areas of the health care facility.
What should large items be lifted with?
What should large items be lifted with?
What can an incident report lead to?
What can an incident report lead to?
What should be in an incident report?
What should be in an incident report?
When should an incident report for an accident/injury be reported?
When should an incident report for an accident/injury be reported?
What items can be disinfected?
What items can be disinfected?
When is disinfection used?
When is disinfection used?
Decontamination activities should not take place when?
Decontamination activities should not take place when?
What kind of containers should sharps be kept in?
What kind of containers should sharps be kept in?
Acrylic nails are prohibited because they support the growth of microorganisms.
Acrylic nails are prohibited because they support the growth of microorganisms.
How long should fingernails be kept?
How long should fingernails be kept?
Why should jewelry not be worn?
Why should jewelry not be worn?
Eyewash stations must be available in the decontam area and in areas where disinfectants are being used and have hands-free operation.
Eyewash stations must be available in the decontam area and in areas where disinfectants are being used and have hands-free operation.
Study Notes
Sterilization and Decontamination
- Sterilizer Access Area Pressure: Should be negative with 10 air exchanges per hour.
- Decontamination Steps: Involves manual/automated mechanical cleaning and application of thermal or chemical disinfection.
- Cleaning Definition: Removal of contamination sufficient for further processing or intended use.
- Nosocomial Infections: Often result from poor/inadequate decontamination processes.
- Employee Hazards: Include exposure to unidentified bioburden, wet environments, handling contaminated sharps, and necessity of knowing proper procedures.
Sterilization Process
- Starting Point in Sterilization: Cleaning is the foundational step.
- Decontamination Process: Involves cleaning surgical instruments and patient care devices to ensure safe handling.
- Physical Safety Hazards: Proper body mechanics, alertness, and right ergonomics are crucial to prevent injuries.
Distribution Systems
- ABC System Classification: A for high-value infrequently used items, B is moderately priced frequently used items, C is low-value items.
- Just in Time Distribution: Eliminates need for sterile storage by having items supplied directly by vendors.
- Case Cart Distribution: Involves delivering specialized carts to specific departments based on needs.
- Exchange Cart Distribution: Utilizes two identical carts—one in use, one in SPD.
Sterilization Conditions
- Sterile Storage Area Pressure: Should be positive to prevent contamination.
- Shelf Life of Sterile Items: Defined as event-related and not time-related.
- Vulnerability to Contamination: Packs are most at risk immediately after sterilization.
Steam Sterilization
- Steam Sterilization Mechanism: Achieved through condensation.
- Biological Testing: Required to confirm sterilization effectiveness; includes max and small load testing.
- Bowie Dick Test Frequency: Conducted daily for dynamic air removal sterilizers.
- Space Guidelines in Sterilizer: Packages should have at least one inch of space from chamber walls.
Loading Sterilizers
- Positioning of Various Materials:
- Basins: Should be placed on their tilted side.
- Metal Instruments: Load on the bottom of the rack.
- Textile Packs: Positioned on the top shelf with sides facing out.
- Moist Packages: If packages are wet upon sterilizer door opening, bacteria can wick through.
Monitoring and Labels
- Frequency of Monitoring: Flash sterilizers need weekly monitoring with biological and indicators.
- Indicators: Class 5 indicators respond to all critical parameters, Class 3 responds to single parameters.
- Label Requirements: Each sterilized package should be labeled with lot number, date, and cycle number.
Biological Monitoring
- Biological Indicators: Contain spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam, ozone, and peracetic sterilization; Bacillus atrophaeus for EtO, plasma, and dry heat.
- Positive vs. Negative Tests:
- Negative test: No microorganisms survived.
- Positive test: Microorganisms survived, indicating failure.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety
- CSD Compliance: Must adhere to local and state regulations, including those from OSHA, EPA, and FDA.
- Incident Reporting: Must include all details of the accident/injury immediately after it happens.
Personal Protective Measures
- Sharp Containers: Must be puncture-proof and leak-proof.
- Prohibited Items: Acrylic nails and jewelry are not allowed in sterile environments due to hygiene concerns.
- Fingernail Length: Should be kept short to minimize contamination risk.
Miscellaneous
- Eyewash Stations: Should be readily available in decontamination areas with hands-free operation.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Prepare for the CBSPD exam with these flashcards covering key concepts in sterilization and decontamination. Each card succinctly defines important terms and processes vital for sterile processing technicians. Enhance your knowledge and readiness for the certification exam.
