Decon Overview

Question 1

What should contaminated instruments be transported in to the decontamination room?

Answer 1

• designated box
  
  • rigid sided
  • leak proof
  • tight fitting lid
  • colour coded

Question 2

Why must gloves be worn for decon?

Answer 2

to protect against substances adhering to hands

Question 3

Why must an apron be worn for decon?

Answer 3

to prevent clothes and person becoming contaminated

Question 4

Why must a face shield be worn for decon?

Answer 4

to protect face and eyes from splashes

Question 5

What are standard operating procedures (SOPs)?

Answer 5

a standardised operating procedure is the way we standardise our activity within a department, making it reproduce and consistent

Question 6

How can it be verified that a washer-disinfect or cycle has been efficient?

Answer 6

• illuminated magnifier
  
  • identify any biological matter

Question 7

What must be done if an instrument is found to still have biological matter after a washer-disinfector cycle?

Answer 7

• the instruments must be further processed
  
  • ultrasonic bath
  • physical scrubbing with recommended brush
• reprocessed through washer-disinfector
• follow manufacturer’s instructions

Question 8

Why must instruments be reprocessed in a washer-disinfector after manual cleaning?

Answer 8

• high temperatures and contact achieved
  
  • part of the automated cycle
• removal of biological matter and proteins
  
  • must be entirely removed
• killing and removal of microbes

Question 9

What percentage of contamination and microbial presence is removed by washer-disinfectors?

Answer 9

> 95%

Question 10

What temperature is a washer-disinfector at and what is the minimum stage hold time?

Answer 10

• 90-95 degrees
• 1 minute
  • allows 12 seconds contact rate

Question 11

What is the aim of sterilisation?

Answer 11

render products free of viable microorganisms

Question 12

How can the nature of microbial inactivation be described?

Answer 12

exponential

Question 13

What must equipment comply with when purchasing?

Answer 13

• Medical Device Directive
  
  • current
• Medical Device Regulation
  
  • update soon

Question 14

What are the two types of sterilisers and which results in sterile instruments?

Answer 14

• B-type steriliser
  
  • instruments can be wrapped
  • vacuum capable
  • instruments sterile
• N-type steriliser
  
  • instruments are unwrapped
  • gravity displacements
  • instruments have been sterilised

Question 15

What features should a container for sterilised instruments have?

Answer 15

• rigid sided
• leak proof
• tight fitting lid
• colour coded

Question 16

What are the different roles described in the SHTM documents?

Answer 16

• operator
• user

Question 17

What is the SHTM description of a user?

Answer 17

the person designated by management to be responsible for the management of a washer-disinfector

• certify WD is fit for use
• hold documentation related to WD
• ensure WD is tested and maintained
• appoint operators where required
• maintain production records

Question 18

What does SHTM stand for?

Answer 18

Scottish Health Technical Memorandum

Question 19

What is the lifecycle of re-usable surgical instruments?

Answer 19

• cleaning
• disinfection
• inspection
• packaging
• sterilisation
• transport
• storage
• use
• transport

Question 20

At what stage do re-usable surgical instruments enter the lifecycle?

Answer 20

• before cleaning
  
  • acquisition
    
    • purchase
    • loan

Question 21

At what stages re-usable surgical instruments leave the lifecycle?

Answer 21

• after inspection
  
  • disposal
    
    • scrap
    • return to sender

Question 22

Describe the chain of infection

Answer 22

1. the infectious agent
2. the reservoir
3. the portal of exit
4. the mode of transmission
5. the portal of entry
6. the susceptible host