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Clinical Studies > Sterilisation > Flashcards

Sterilisation Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of Sterilise?

A

To destroy all living organisms

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2
Q

What is the definition of Disinfect?

A

To make free from infection by destoying all organisms in the vegetative state (spores not included)

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3
Q

What is the definition of Antisepsis?

A

Destruction or inhibition of organisms on living tissues

- limiting or preventing the harmful results of infection

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4
Q

What is the definition of Sanitise?

A

To reduce the total bioburden

- Reference to utensils and equipment

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5
Q

What is the definition of Steriliser?

A

A piece of equipment by which sterilisation may be achieved

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6
Q

What is the definition of Autoclave?

A

A piece of equipment by which sterilisation may be achieved using steam under pressure
- Simple, inexpensive, safe and reliable

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7
Q

What is the definition of Sterile supply?

A

The location where sterile items and equipment are dispensed
- In a small clinic this is usually a bench area with laundry

  • In a large clinic it is usually a dedicated room

Should be arranged to separate dirty from the clean

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8
Q

What are the required conditions for steam sterilisation?

A
  1. Sufficient moisture to allow full penetration
  2. Complete contact
  3. Correct temperature to kill organisms
  4. Correct contact time
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9
Q

What are the different types of autoclave?

A
  1. Single shelled autoclaves - no drying cycle

2. Double shell autoclaves - preferable

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10
Q

What are the main components of the sterilisation process?

A
  1. Cleaning
  2. Packing
  3. Appropriate items
  4. Loading/ unloading
  5. Times and pressures
  6. Sterilisation indicators
  7. Storage
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11
Q

How do you clean instruments for sterilisation?

A

Sterilisation often ineffective if any organic material present

  • Rinse in cold water
  • Wash in tepid water with enzymatic cleaner
  • Rinse and dry
  • Ultrasonic cleaners
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12
Q

How do you pack instruments for sterilisation?

A

Cloth wraps, kimguard or paper backed plastic pouches

  • Trays: wrapped
  • Single instruments: packed
  • Multiple instruments not in tray: double bagged
  • Larger items : wrapped then pouched
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13
Q

What is of most importance of packing material for sterilisation?

A

What and how you wrap has an effect on whether or not the objects achieve sterility

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14
Q

How do you know what items are appropriate for autoclaving?

A
  • Generally autoclaves can’t process delicate instruments
  • Follow item instructions or note maximum temperature
    • Many plastics will melt at 134C but survive 121C
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15
Q

How do you Load/ Unload instruments for sterilisation?

A
  • Allow free circulation and penetration of steam
  • Enhance air elimination
  • Prevent entrapment of air and water
  • Leave untouched with autoclave door open for 30 mins before unloading
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16
Q

What is important to remember about warm autoclave packages?

A

If they are placed on a cold surface they will become damp from condensation and become unsterile

17
Q

What are the times and pressures for autoclave sterilisation?

A

15psi @ 121C for 15 minutes

30psi @134C for 3-4 minutes

18
Q

What different things can be used as sterility indicators?

A
  • Indicator tape
  • Indicator strips
  • Browne tubes
  • Biologic indicators
  • Batch controllers

only indicate that cerain conditions have been met

19
Q

What do browne tubes do?

A

Test air removal

- Determines time, steam and temperature

20
Q

What is important about biological indicators?

A

They are the only way of determining that thermophilic bacteria cannot have survived

21
Q

What are recommended storage times for items?

A
  • Double wrapped Kimguard: 6 months
  • Single paper pouches : 6 months
  • Double paper pouches: 6 months
  • Drapes/linen/Kim guard : 1 month
  • Paper pouches : 6 months
22
Q

What are the best conditions for equipment storage?

A
  • Correct temperature and humidity
  • Low traffic area
  • Minimal handling
23
Q

What are the advantages of autoclaves?

A
  • Steam is readily available
  • Cheap
  • Quick
  • Reliable
  • Sterilises most things
  • Equipment can be stored afterwards
24
Q

What are the disadvantages of autoclaves?

A
  • Requires special equipment
  • Requires careful monitoring
  • Cannot sterilise delicate or sharp instruments
25
Q

What are some other methods of sterilisation?

A
  • Dry heat
  • Chemical gas sterilisation
  • Chemical cold sterilisation
  • Ionising gamma radiation
  • Plasma sterilisation
26
Q

What is dry heat sterilisation?

A
  • Oxidative denaturation of proteins
  • Bacterial spores show greater resistance
  • Longer exposure times are thus needed
27
Q

What are the advantages of dry heat sterilisation?

A
  • Simplicity
  • Sealed containers can be used
  • Doesn’t dull instruments
  • Fairly cheap
  • No moisture
  • Non-corrosive
  • Sterilised oils and powders
28
Q

What are the disadvantages of dry heat sterilisation?

A
  • Long exposure times
  • Careful loading technique required to ensure all parts of the load are sterilised
  • Requires careful monitoring
  • Unsuitable for heat sensitive materials; paper, cloth, plastics etc
29
Q

Describe chemical gas sterilisation…

A
  • Ethylene oxide ETO
  • Flammable, explosive gas which becomes an effective steriliser when mixed with CO2
  • Kills by alkylation of DNA
  • Was used for equipment that couldn’t be autoclaved
  • Items have longer shelf life
  • Slow
  • Expensive
  • Toxic to people
30
Q

Describe chemical cold sterilisation…

A
  • Must be non-corrosive
  • Used for delicate items
  • Immersion time is critical
  • Normally 15 mins
  • No longer than 60 mins
31
Q

Describe ionising radiation sterilisation…

A
  • Gamma radiation (cobalt 60)
  • Most manufactured equipment which is pre-packaged is sterilised this way e.g. sutures
  • Less readily available to vets
32
Q

Describe plasma sterilisation…

A
  • Low temperature technique
  • Not available in vets
  • Vapour phase hydrogen peroxide sterilises by active ions, electrons and neutral atomic particles to kill bacteria

Clinical Studies (19 decks)

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