Ch. 11 Sterilization Flashcards
what is the SAL
sterility assurance level - the probability of a single viable microorganism occurring on a product after sterilization
What is TASS
toxic anterior segment syndrome is a severe inflammatory process in the anterior chamber following ophthalmic procedures
why is mechanical cleaning the preferred method of cleaning instruments? and what are some types of mechanical cleaners?
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 do ultrasonic cleaners clean?
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
what is the difference between a washer decontamintor vs a washer disinfector
decontaminators carry no specific claims of antimicrobial efficacy whereas washer disinfectors can achieve high level disinfection
both use circulating water and detergents
what count should cotton muslin for wrapping material be?
140 or 270 count
why can linens and paper wrapping not be used for the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma or vapor sterilization?
they may absorb the hydrogen peroxide which may make the process less effective
what are the most commonly used wrapping materials for ethylene oxide
polyethylene/mylar
polycoated paper
uncoated paper
explain the properties of gluteraldehyde
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%
explain the properties of ortho-phthalaldehyde (Cidex OPA)
stains skin and tissues but is less irritating than gluteraldehyde
does not require pH adjustment
explain the properties of hydrogen peroxide as a chemical sterilizer
concentrations greater than 7.5%
explain the properties of peracetic acid as a chemical sterilizer
oxidizing agent
use at 0.2%
irritating to skin and unstable
why do we use steam with sterilization
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)
what is the typical temperature for a gravity displacement steam sterilizer
121 C or 250 F for 30 minutes (and 15-30 drying)
what is the typical temperature for a prevacuum sterilizer unit
132 C or 270 F for four minutes (but AAMI recommends 15 min exposure and 15-30 dry)
how does a gravity displacement sterilizer work
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