Questions and Answers
What should the sterilizer access area pressure be?
Negative with 10 air exchanges per hour
What two steps are involved in decontamination?
- Manual and/or automated mechanical cleaning, 2. Application of a thermal or chemical disinfection process
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?
Signup and view all the answers
What are employee hazards in the decontamination process?
Signup and view all the answers
How do you properly clean a device?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the starting point in sterilization?
Signup and view all the answers
Define decontamination.
Signup and view all the answers
What are physical safety hazards?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the weakest point of an instrument?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the ABC system stand for?
Signup and view all the answers
What is just in time distribution?
Signup and view all the answers
What are specialty/procedure carts?
Signup and view all the answers
What is case cart distribution?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the exchange cart distribution?
Signup and view all the answers
What is par level distribution?
Signup and view all the answers
What is demand distribution?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the most common distribution systems?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the air pressure of the sterile storage area?
Signup and view all the answers
What is shelf life?
Signup and view all the answers
When are packs most vulnerable to contamination?
Signup and view all the answers
What is it when a sterilizer's ability is tested under worst case conditions?
Signup and view all the answers
What is it called when a sterilizer is tested for sterilization under actual use conditions?
Signup and view all the answers
How often is a Bowie Dick test ran?
Signup and view all the answers
How much space should be between packages and the chamber wall?
Signup and view all the answers
How should paper-plastic pouches be placed in a sterilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
How should basins be placed in a sterilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be placed on the bottom of the rack in a mixed load?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be placed on the top shelf?
Signup and view all the answers
Textile packs should be placed how in a sterilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
Solid bottom trays should be loaded how?
Signup and view all the answers
How should mesh bottom containers be loaded into the sterilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
If packages are still moist when the sterilizer doors are opened, bacteria can do what?
Signup and view all the answers
How does steam sterilization occur?
Signup and view all the answers
What cases are proven to have prions?
Signup and view all the answers
When should a flash sterilizer be monitored?
Signup and view all the answers
What cannot be processed in an express cycle?
Signup and view all the answers
When should a flash sterilizer be used?
Signup and view all the answers
How are liquids sterilized?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs during the drying phase?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs during the exhaust phase?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs during the sterilization/exposure/holding phase?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs during the conditioning phase of steam sterilizers?
Signup and view all the answers
Where should the Bowie Dick test be placed in a steam sterilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is the sterilizer's heat-sensing thermometer located?
Signup and view all the answers
What provides heat inside the chamber and prevents condensation in a steam sterilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is the dedicated steam supply made?
Signup and view all the answers
Steam kills microorganisms by _______ the protein.
Signup and view all the answers
Removing as many microorganisms as possible before sterilization enhances the probability of microbial kill.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the air exchange in sterile storage?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the suggested release temperature of packs?
Signup and view all the answers
How far from the floor should medical devices be stored?
Signup and view all the answers
How far should shelving be from outside walls?
Signup and view all the answers
What kind of pressure should the sterilization area be under?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the coldest area of the sterilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three parameters of steam sterilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two types of cycles in steam sterilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the phases of the cycle?
Signup and view all the answers
It takes a certain ______ to reach a certain ____________.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the types of sterilization processes used?
Signup and view all the answers
What does a class on indicator respond to?
Signup and view all the answers
Geobacillus stearothermophilus must be incubated at what temp?
Signup and view all the answers
What should the incoming saturated steam dryness be?
Signup and view all the answers
What should the sterility assurance level be?
Signup and view all the answers
When a new sterilizer comes in or is relocated how many consecutive biologicals must be ran in an empty sterilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
How many air exchanges should there be in the sterilization area?
Signup and view all the answers
Class five responds to?
Signup and view all the answers
Class three responds to?
Signup and view all the answers
Biological monitors contain?
Signup and view all the answers
The biological used for steam, ozone, and peracetic sterilization contains?
Signup and view all the answers
The biological used for EtO, gas plasma, and dry heat contains?
Signup and view all the answers
Adequate cleaning will lead to easier sterilization because it reduces present bioburden.
Signup and view all the answers
When must a control biological be run?
Signup and view all the answers
When are biologicals placed for steam sterilization?
Signup and view all the answers
Where do you place biologicals for EtO sterilization?
Signup and view all the answers
Where are biologicals placed for gas plasma sterilization?
Signup and view all the answers
If no microorganisms survived, the biological test is positive or negative?
Signup and view all the answers
If microorganisms survive, the biological test is considered positive or negative?
Signup and view all the answers
If bacteria live what color does the biological turn?
Signup and view all the answers
When a BI tests positive you must?
Signup and view all the answers
Steam sterilizers should be monitored at a minimum of?
Signup and view all the answers
Each package run through sterilizers should be labeled with what?
Signup and view all the answers
What must CSD comply with?
Signup and view all the answers
What is decontamination?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the EPA regulate?
Signup and view all the answers
What agencies govern central sterile departments?
Signup and view all the answers
Is JCAHO a government agency?
Signup and view all the answers
The standards of __________ affect most areas of the health care facility.
Signup and view all the answers
What should large items be lifted with?
Signup and view all the answers
What can an incident report lead to?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be in an incident report?
Signup and view all the answers
When should an incident report for an accident/injury be reported?
Signup and view all the answers
What items can be disinfected?
Signup and view all the answers
When is disinfection used?
Signup and view all the answers
Decontamination activities should not take place when?
Signup and view all the answers
What kind of containers should sharps be kept in?
Signup and view all the answers
Acrylic nails are prohibited because they support the growth of microorganisms.
Signup and view all the answers
How long should fingernails be kept?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should jewelry not be worn?
Signup and view all the answers
Eyewash stations must be available in the decontam area and in areas where disinfectants are being used and have hands-free operation.
Signup and view all the answers
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.