Pack Prep & Sterilization Flashcards
What do you call antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection?
Antiseptics
What do you call the state of being clean and conducive to health?
Sanitary
What do you call substances that are applied to inanimate objects to destroy microorganims that are living on the objects?
Disinfection
Disinfection does not kill all microorganisms - give one example?
Bacterial spores
Which is more effective - disinfection or sterilization?
Sterilization
What is a term used to refer to a process that eliminates or kills ALL forms of life?
Sterilization
This includes fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores, etc.
When cleaning surgical instruments, what should be used for the initial cleaning?
Deionized or distilled water
This avoids excess salt build up and maintains a neutral pH
What do chemical sterilization indicators provide verification of?
That the inside of the pack was exposed to the appropriate sterilization temperature for the appropriate length of time (DOES NOT CONFIRM STERILITY)
What should the label of a pack include?
- Date
- Contents
- Operator
What does autoclave tape provide verification of?
That the outside of the pack was exposed to appropriate sterilization temperatures
What is the most common means of instrument and pack sterilization used in veterinary medicine?
Moist heat in the form of staurated steam under pressure
Which method of instrument and pack sterilization is no longer in use?
Ethylene oxide gas
This gas produces carcinogens
Which sterilization method can be used for heat sensitive items like cameras, arthroscopes, and laproscopes?
Cold chemical
Glutaldehyde or hydrogen peroxide
What are 3 disadvantages to the autoclave?
- Destroys fiber optic lens
- Dulls sharp instruments
- Can destroy plastics, rubber
What are the 2 types of sterilizers?
Pre-vacuum
Gravity displacement
What is the major difference between pre-vacuum and gravity displacement sterilizers?
- Pre-vacuum depends on MECHANICAL removal or air
2. In gravity displacement the air is displaced by steam with GRAVITY as the force pushing the air out
What are the 3 steps involved in gravity displacement?
- Water is heated in a chamber
- Continued heating creates pressure
- Steam displaces air within the chamber forcing it out through a vent
Which is more effective, pre-vacuum or gravity displacement?
Pre-vacuum
More efficient at removal of air
What is the greatest resistance to steam sterilization?
Removal of air
Up to what temperature can spores and bacteria survive if in an air pocket? How does pre-vacuum air removal help?
273 degrees F
Pre-vacuum air removal eliminates air pockets from all load types and maximizes steam penetration to instrument components
Which type of autoclave has (1) higher temperature, (2) greater pressure, and (3) shorter time?
Pre-vacuum
What is the usual cycle of a gravity displacement sterilizer?
Temperature = 250 F Pressure = 15 psi Time = 30 minutes
What are some causes of wet packs after autoclaving?
- Clogged drain lines
- Incorrect loading
- Incorrect packaging
- Insufficient drying time
What are the by product of low temperature plasma sterilization?
Oxygen
Water
