Sterilization Process in Healthcare

Sterilization and Disinfection

• Point of Use Processing occurs immediately before an item is used and/or close to a patient care area.
• Flash sterilization is used for immediate use in an emergency, and its purpose is to sterilize instruments quickly.
• According to ANSI/AAMI ST79:2006, flash sterilization should only be considered when proper procedures are followed.
• AORN recommends using flash sterilization only in selected clinical situations.
• Items processed in Point of Use Processing are unwrapped.
• Before flash sterilization, all devices and all lumens must be thoroughly cleaned according to AORN.
• The Joint Commission expects flash sterilization to be used only in unanticipated situations and with proper documentation.
• Large and multiple trays should not be flash sterilized, and the primary disadvantage of using flash sterilization for implantable medical devices is that it is not recommended by AAMI and AORN.
• Complex medical devices require longer exposure times during flash sterilization.
• Before flash sterilization, instruments must be decontaminated, and standard PPE should be worn during the preparation of items for flash sterilization in the OR.
• A key factor to ensure the effectiveness of the sterilization process in flash sterilization is the placement of items in the sterilizer.

Sterilization Process

• Liquid Chemical Sterile Processing Systems have limitations, including that devices must be totally immersible.
• Criteria for selecting disinfection/sterilization methods include Safety, Efficacy, and Efficiency.
• Process Monitoring includes parametric and chemical monitoring.
• Spaulding's Classification System includes critical devices, such as instruments introduced into the bloodstream, and semi-critical devices, such as flexible fiberoptic endoscopes.
• Automatic endoscope reprocessors incorporate patient and staff safety features.
• The Express cycle in sterilization is used to sterilize single instruments quickly.

Definitions

Molecules and Atoms

• A molecule is the smallest quantity of matter that can exist in a free state and retain all its properties.
• An atom is a fundamental unit of a chemical element.
• An ion is an electronically-charged particle.
• An electron is a negatively-charged particle.

Chemical Reactions

• An oxidizing agent is a material that removes electrons.
• Oxidation is a chemical reaction involving the loss of an electron.