Ch. 11 Sterilization Flashcards

1
Q

what is the SAL

A

sterility assurance level - the probability of a single viable microorganism occurring on a product after sterilization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is TASS

A

toxic anterior segment syndrome is a severe inflammatory process in the anterior chamber following ophthalmic procedures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

why is mechanical cleaning the preferred method of cleaning instruments? and what are some types of mechanical cleaners?

A

facilitates washing and rinsing without the risks of manual cleaning (which often relies on cleaning agents)
ex. ultrasonic, washer decontaminators, washer sterilizers, washer disinfectors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

how do ultrasonic cleaners clean?

A

utilize the process of cavitation - ultrasonic waves create minute gas bubbles which then implode and create a minute vacuum that facilitates the removal of particles and debris

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is the difference between a washer decontamintor vs a washer disinfector

A

decontaminators carry no specific claims of antimicrobial efficacy whereas washer disinfectors can achieve high level disinfection
both use circulating water and detergents

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what count should cotton muslin for wrapping material be?

A

140 or 270 count

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

why can linens and paper wrapping not be used for the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma or vapor sterilization?

A

they may absorb the hydrogen peroxide which may make the process less effective

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are the most commonly used wrapping materials for ethylene oxide

A

polyethylene/mylar
polycoated paper
uncoated paper

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

explain the properties of gluteraldehyde

A

a chemical disinfectant with reasonable efficacy against bacterial spores but only for prolonged exposure and certain pH
14 day shelf life
starts out acidic but needs to be alkalinated to be effective
minimum effective concentration is 1.0-1.5%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

explain the properties of ortho-phthalaldehyde (Cidex OPA)

A

stains skin and tissues but is less irritating than gluteraldehyde
does not require pH adjustment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

explain the properties of hydrogen peroxide as a chemical sterilizer

A

concentrations greater than 7.5%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

explain the properties of peracetic acid as a chemical sterilizer

A

oxidizing agent
use at 0.2%
irritating to skin and unstable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

why do we use steam with sterilization

A

the water serves as a catalyst and allows us to use lower temps
additionally, heat is transferred from the steam by condensation and not just absorption (like with dry heat)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is the typical temperature for a gravity displacement steam sterilizer

A

121 C or 250 F for 30 minutes (and 15-30 drying)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is the typical temperature for a prevacuum sterilizer unit

A

132 C or 270 F for four minutes (but AAMI recommends 15 min exposure and 15-30 dry)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

how does a gravity displacement sterilizer work

A

steam is introduced under pressure and because it is lighter than air, stays at the top and forces air out the valve at the bottom
the temperature of the discharged air can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

how does a prevacuum steam sterilizer work

A

similar to a gravity displacement but there is a pump that removes air before the steam comes in and then the steam is rapidly sucked in
faster than gravity displacement and also very uniform steam

18
Q

what is a formaldehyde vapor sterilizer

A

similar to any other steam sterilizer but can use a lower temp (about 65-80 C)

19
Q

what is the recommended temp and duration for dry sterilization

A

160 C (or 320 F) for 120 minutes

20
Q

what is the recommended temp and duration for a flash sterilization cycle in a gravity dependent autoclave

A
135 C (275 F) for three minutes with 1 minute of drying time
should be unwrapped!
21
Q

how does ethylene oxide work as a sterilizer

A
unlike heat (which will kill microorganisms through coaulation and denaturation of proteins), ethylene oxide will akylate proteins and nucleic acids which will obstruct cell metabolism and reproduction
it is usually mixed with carbon dioxide or hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) because ethylene oxide by itself is flammable
22
Q

why does ethylene oxide need an aeration cycle

A

ethylene oxide will adsorb to many substances like rubber and some plastics

23
Q

what are the concentration, temp, humidity, and temp ranges for ethylene oxide sterilizers

A

450-1200 mg/L
29-65 C (84-149 F)
45-85% humidity
2-5 hours plus drying time

24
Q

how does ozone sterilization work and what is the temp/duration of a cycle

A

O3 has a loosely bound third oxygen molecule that will readily oxidize other molecules to cause destruction of microorganisms
30-35 C for four hours

25
Q

how do plasma sterilizers function

A

use electromagnetic energy to create a plasma phase from a vapor of hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, or peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide mix
the plasma contains reactive products like free radicals
expensive
some forms require no aeration - no toxic residues
the cycle is done at 45-50 C for 28-75 minutes
good for moisture or heat sensitive items but not for linens, liquids, wood
they need special synthetic packaging and container trays

26
Q

how do vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilizers work

A

low temperature
30-55 minutes
no toxic residues
available as room disinfection units to decontaminate environment

27
Q

how does sterilization by radiation work

A

cobalt 60 gamma rays or electron accelerators

certain biologicals like bone grafts may be weakened by irradiation

28
Q

what organism is used to test for steam sterilization, plasma, and ozone

A

Geobacillus stearothermophilus

29
Q

what organism is used for testing ethylene oxide sterilization

A

Bacillus atrophaeus

30
Q

what is the shelf life for instruments in double layered linen or plastic paper envelopes following steam sterilization

A

96 weeks

31
Q

what is the shelf life for instruments in cloth wrapping following ethylene oxide gas sterilization

A

15-30 days

32
Q

what is the shelf life for instruments in paper wrapping following ethylene oxide gas sterilization

A

30-60 days

33
Q

what is the shelf life for instruments in plastic wrapping following ethylene oxide gas sterilization

A

90-100 days

34
Q

what is the shelf life for instruments in heat sealed plastic wrapping following ethylene oxide gas sterilization

A

1 year

35
Q

what is a class 1 sterilization indicator and where does it go?

A

demonstrates that a package has been exposed to a sterilization process and should be placed on the outside of every package

36
Q

what is a class 2 sterilization indicator and where does it go?

A

indicator that is used for a specific purpose also called a Bowie Dick indicator. placed inside the pack

37
Q

what is a class 3 sterilization indicator and where does it go?

A

indicator that reacts to a single parameter of sterilization like just temp or just time. place inside the pack

38
Q

what is a class 4 sterilization indicator and where does it go?

A

indicator that reacts to multiple parameters of sterilization. placed inside the pack

39
Q

what is a class 5 sterilization indicator and where does it go?

A

indicator that reacts to all parameters of sterilization. Also called an integrating indicator. Placed inside the pack

40
Q

what is a class 6 sterilization indicator and where does it go?

A

indicator that reacts to all parameters of a given sterilization cycle (emulating indicator). placed inside the pack