Competency D Flashcards
Sterilize/ disinfect equipment supplies, and surfaces
What is a holding solution used for?
prevents drying of the blood and debris on instruments if they cant be cleaned right away
What liquid should be used for the holding solution?
Any noncorrosive liquid
What are the requirements for the container for the holding solution?
must have a lid and be labeled with a biohazard label and a chemical label
why is hand scrubbing the least desirable method of precleaning instruments ?
requires direct hand contact with the contaminated instruments
if the instruments must be hand scrubbed, how should they be scrubbed?
with a long handled brush while submerged in a cleaning solution
How long should instruments be in the ultrasonic cleaner?
Until visibly clean
What solution is used in the ultrasonic cleaner?
chemicals specially formulated for use in the ultrasonic cleaner
Why should the lid be kept on the ultrasonic unit while in use?
to avoid airborne contamination
What packaging materials are acceptable for use for the autoclave?
nonwoven disposable wrappers
paper/poly pouches
surgical muslin
materials that allow the steam to penetrate the material
what labeling should be used on see-through packaging?
date of sterilization
which sterilizer was used
Where on the package should the labeling be written?
on indicator tape, then taped on the package
why should staples not be used in sealing package?
sharp objects would penetrate the packaging material resulting in holes
how can heat-sensitive items be sterilized ?
liquid chemical sterilization
what is the sterilization time for liquid chemical sterilization?
6-10 hours depending on the chemical
what are the standard sterilizing conditions for chemical vapor sterilization?
270 degrees for 20 minutes at 20 psi
what is the main advantage of chemical vapor sterilization over steam sterilization?
no corrosion
what are the standard sterilization conditions for steam under pressure sterilization?
250 degrees for 20-30 minutes at 15 psi
270 degrees for 3-10 minutes at 15 psi for flash cycles
What is included inside each package to be sterilized?
a process integrator
where are large packs placed in the autoclave?
at the bottom of the chamber
in which sterilization method (s) must the instruments be dry before wrapping ?
chemical vapor sterilization
dry heat sterilization
what physical monitoring must occur with every sterilization cycle?
level of solution
temperature
pressure
time
what are the two types of chemical indicator?
process indicators (external)
process integrators (internal )
Why are process indicators used?
they identify instrument packs that have been exposed to a certain temperature, they can be used to distinguish between packages that were processed and those that were not
What do process integrators indicate?
They verify instruments that have been exposed to sterilization conditions
What must be used to ensure sterility?
biological monitoring
How often should biological monitoring occur?
at least weekly
what two liquid disinfectants can be used to sterilize instruments?
Glutaraldehyde
chlorine dioxide
why should glutaraldeyde not to be used for surface disinfection?
toxicity
why can the spray-wipe spray method not be used for surface disinfection with chlorine dioxide?
a separate cleaner must be used for precleaning
which disinfectant has the fastest disinfection time for surface disinfection?
chlorine dioxide
what is the recommended dilution of sodium hypochlorite for surface disinfection?
1:10
why is alcohol not recommended for use as a surface disinfectant?
it is not effective in the pressure bioburden
it evaporates too quickly
why should electrical switches not be sprayed with disinfectant?
may damage the unit or cause a short
why should a mask be worn when spraying disinfectant?
splatter and aerosol are created
why should gauze not be stored in containers with disinfectants?
the gauze may shorten the life of the disinfectant
how long should air and water lines be flushed after the patient visit?
30 seconds
