Introduction to Sterilization Flashcards
IUSS
Immediate-Use Steam Sterilization
Point of Use Processing
An item to be sterilized is immediately and thoroughly cleaned of debris before IUSS.
Flash Sterilization
Old way of sterilizing uncovered instruments in a pan.
IUSS replaced this.
Load number
The identification number of a specific sterilization load from a specific machine.
Jacket
Part of a steam sterilizer where the steam enters the machine to begin heating the internal chamber.
Prevacuum sterilizer
Steam sterilizer that uses a sequence of air removal from the chamber with a pressure vacuum.
Gravity sterilizer
Found in smaller autoclaves.
Steam enters the chamber and forces the cooler, heavier air to the bottom where it is pushed out of the drain.
Dynamic air removal sterilizers
Uses gravity to move heavier, cooler air to the bottom of the chamber. A pump then forces that cooler air out of the chamber.
Biological Indicator
Uses the live geobacillus stearothermophilus to test the efficiency of sterilization against microorganisms.
Bowie-Dick Test
Also known as a dynamic air removal test.
Class II CI.
Indicates how well the internal chamber of an autoclave removes air.
Preformed daily in every autoclave.
Leak testing
Test the autoclave’s ability to hold a vacuum.
Physical monitoring
Checking the physical readout or recording of sterilizer for the correct time, temperature and pressures specific to all cycles of a load.
Sterilization load control number
Also called a lot number, contains the sterilizer identifier, sterilization cycle number, and date sterilized.
Julian date
The number of days that elapsed since January 1st of the year.
Validation
Performed by the manufacturer of the sterilizer to ensure proper and consistent sterilization.
