Thermal and Chemical Disinfection Methods
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Questions and Answers

What is the minimum recommended treatment for reprocessing medical devices that cannot be sterilized?

  • Drying
  • Low-level disinfection
  • High-level disinfection (correct)
  • Decontamination

    • What is the purpose of drying medical devices after reprocessing?

  • To remove residual moisture and reduce the risk of recontamination
  • To prevent rusting and staining
  • To facilitate drainage of the device
  • All of the above (correct)

    • What is the recommended approach for drying medical devices when a drying cabinet is not available?

  • Use alcohol or other flammable liquids as drying agents
  • Use a clean disposable lint-free, absorbent wipe (correct)
  • Place the device in a standard oven
  • Dry the device in a horizontal position

    • What is the minimum recommended treatment for reprocessing non-invasive medical devices for use in non-critical sites?

    <p>Low-level disinfection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main agent that affects the cleaning of used surgical devices prior to sterilization?

    <p>Process chemicals used in the wash area of the CSSD</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended approach for drying medical devices to avoid exceeding the temperature tolerances advised by the manufacturer?

    <p>Dry the device in a sloping position to facilitate drainage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of disinfection is achieved in a thermal washer-disinfector?

    <p>Thermal disinfection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT affect the effectiveness of chemical disinfection?

    <p>Type of material being disinfected</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main disinfectant of choice in endoscopy units?

    <p>Chemical disinfectant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the concentration, contact time, and minimum/maximum temperatures for adequate chemical disinfection processes?

    <p>Microbiological validation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of micro-organisms are not eliminated by disinfection?

    <p>Bacterial spores</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the level of disinfection achieved depend on?

    <p>Exposure time, temperature, and/or type of chemical disinfectant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the quality of water critical in the cleaning process of medical devices?

    <p>To ensure the successful outcome of the cleaning process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action should be taken if exposed to a hazardous substance according to the Safety Data Sheets (SDS)?

    <p>Follow the precautions and instructions provided</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to store chemicals below shoulder height?

    <p>To ensure safety in case of spillage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can adverse water compositions during reprocessing potentially affect?

    <p>The reprocessing process and devices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key precaution when handling chemicals during medical device reprocessing?

    <p>Training all personnel who handle chemicals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the hazardous properties associated with chemicals like detergents and disinfectants?

    <p>Flammable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), what is one of the characteristics of process chemicals?

    <p>Low-foaming</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be considered when choosing process chemicals?

    <p>Compatibility with decontamination equipment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why should defined, written procedures be used for handling and storage of process chemicals?

    <p>To ensure safe handling and storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done to control process chemicals?

    <p>Clearly identify chemicals that should not be stored together</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to choose the least hazardous chemical that fulfills the process requirement?

    <p>To improve efficacy while ensuring safety</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor to consider when determining the compatibility of water quality during the cleaning process?

    <p>The washer-disinfector construction materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT listed as a factor to consider for water quality during the cleaning process?

    <p>Surface tension of the water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of conducting daily, weekly, and quarterly tests on the washer-disinfector?

    <p>To ensure the washer-disinfector is operating within the limits established during commissioning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT included in the daily tests for the washer-disinfector?

    <p>Cleaning efficacy test</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the weekly cleaning efficacy test?

    <p>To detect residual soil in the washer-disinfector</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT listed as a periodic test for the washer-disinfector?

    <p>Water temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Reprocessing Medical Devices

    • High-level disinfection is the minimum treatment recommended for reprocessing medical devices that cannot be sterilized, used for semicritical sites or when there are specific concerns regarding contamination of surfaces.
    • Low-level disinfection is the minimum treatment recommended for reprocessing non-invasive medical devices for use in non-critical sites.

    Drying

    • Drying minimizes rusting, staining, and reduces the risk of recontamination during inspection and assembly of RMDs.
    • Residual moisture interferes with the sterilization process.
    • Methods for drying include using a clean disposable lint-free, absorbent wipe or a drying cabinet.

    Process Chemicals

    • Thorough cleaning of used surgical devices prior to sterilization is critical, and the main agent that affects cleaning is the process chemical used in the wash area of the CSSD.
    • Factors to consider when handling chemicals include:
      • Storing chemicals below shoulder height
      • Making Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and labels available to staff
      • Training personnel who handle chemicals
      • Reading and following precautions and instructions given on the SDS and label

    Water Quality

    • The quality of water used at all stages in the cleaning process is critical to the successful outcome of the process.
    • Unfavorable water compositions can have an adverse effect on the reprocessing process and on the devices themselves.
    • Purified water rinse is used in the cleaning process.

    Disinfection

    • There are two types of disinfection: thermal and chemical.
    • Thermal disinfection can be achieved in a thermal washer-disinfector by choosing the appropriate cycle.
    • Chemical disinfection depends on factors including the initial number of microbes present, temperature, pH, and concentration.
    • Chemical disinfection can be achieved with a compatible RMD-grade disinfectant of the required level, used alone or with a chemical washer-disinfector.
    • Validation of chemical disinfection processes is done microbiologically, defining the concentration, contact time, and minimum/maximum temperatures for adequate disinfection.

    Safety Precautions

    • Chemicals such as detergents and disinfectants may have hazardous properties, including being irritant, corrosive, or flammable.
    • Things to think about when dealing with process chemicals include choice of process chemicals, controls required, safety data sheets, and labeling.

    Choice of Process Chemicals

    • Choose process chemicals that are compatible with:
      • The medical device
      • The decontamination equipment to be used and the intended use of the device
    • Choose the least hazardous chemical that will fulfill the process requirement.

    Control of Process Chemicals

    • Use defined, written procedures and methods for handling and storage of process chemicals.
    • Clearly identify chemicals that should not be stored together.
    • Consider factors such as pH, hardness, temperature, ionic contaminants, microbiological population, and bacterial endotoxins when using process chemicals.

    Routine Testing of Decontamination Equipment

    • Washer-disinfectors are subject to a schedule of periodic tests at daily, weekly, quarterly, and yearly intervals.
    • These tests supply evidence that the washer-disinector is still operating within the limits established during commissioning.
    • Tests include:
      • Daily: Spray arm rotation, spray nozzles, removes and clean strainers and filters
      • Weekly: Automatic control test, safety checks, water hardness, water conductivity, cleaning efficacy test

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    Disinfection PDF

    Description

    Learn about two types of disinfection methods: thermal and chemical. Explore how thermal disinfection can be achieved in a thermal washer-disinfector and the importance of monitoring the temperature to ensure effectiveness. Discover the benefits of both methods for decontamination.

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