Sterilization and Storage Flashcards
What is sterilisation?
Sterilisation is the process in which all living microorganisms including spores are killed
What is sterilisation assurance level?
Device is free from microorganisms defining on probability that the viable microbes on the instrument is less than or equal to 1 in a million
Name 3 general methods of sterilization
- Physical
- Chemical
- Physio-Chemical
Name 2 types of chemical sterilization
- Liquids (alcohols, halogens)
2. Gaseous (Formaldehyde, Ethylene oxide)
Name 5 types of physical sterilization
- Sunlight
- Heat (dry or moist)
- Vibration
- Radiation (ionizing or non-ionizing)
- Filtration (asbestos, membrane)
Describe how sterilization is generally carried out in dentistry
- Moist heat in autoclave
- Saturated steam under pressure
- 98% steam or 2% water
Name 5 advantages of steam sterilization
1, Rapid heating and penetration of load
- Rapid destruction of microorganisms
- No toxic residues
- Low cost process
- Easily controlled and monitored
Name 5 phases of steam sterilization
- Heating
- Air removal
- Sterilisation
- Evacuation and cooling
- Drying
Name 4 factors which affect sterilization
- Amount of organic material
- Number of microorganisms
- Type of microorganisms
- Steam quality
Name 5 instrument factors which affect sterilisation
- Rough pitted surfaces
- Lumens
- Hinges
- Heat sensitive devices
- Over packing
Name 3 methods of air removal in autoclave
- Downward gravity displacement
- Vacuum removal
- Pulse
What is Type N Bench-Top Sterilizer?
Non-vacuum sterilisers for non-wrapped solid instruments where air removal is passive displacement by steam
What is Type B Bench-Top Sterilizer?
Vacuum air actively removed reprocess load trays such as hollow, air retentive packaged loads
What is Type S Bench-Top Sterilizer?
Vacuum or pulse system, specifically designed to reprocess specific load types
Describe 3 parameters of the sterilisation phase
- Temperature at 134 - 137 C
- Pressure at 2.0 - 2.3 bar
- Holding time of 3 minutes
Name 3 things to check to ensure the steriliser is safe to use
- Compliant with safety requirements
- Installed, commissioned, validated and maintained
- Operated in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction
Describe 4 important features of loading a steriliser
- Hinges instruments opened
- Gallipots should be inverted to allow draining
- Instruments not touching
- Placed across tray so steam touches every surface
What is the difference between sterile and sterilized?
Sterile - Device wrapped prior to sterilisation in Type B, intact packaging and correct storage means can be kept for 1 year
Sterilised - Unwrapped device, processed through steam steriliser, however on completion of cycle, sterility is not maintained
Name 3 sterilised instrument storage options
- Clean lockable lidded box and used in that same day
- Stored in clean box in clean cupboard in LDU for up to a week
- Aseptically bagged and kept up to 1 year
Describe the ideal components of a storage area
- Separate from clinical area
- Easily cleaned
- Appropriately designed to prevent damage to packs
- Stored above floor level away from sunlight and water
Name 4 types of recontamination of instruments which can occur if packaging is compromised
- Dust
- Aerosols
- Contaminated hands
- Moisture
Name 6 things found in log books
- Details of machine and location
- Commissioning report
- Test sheets (daily, weekly, quarterly, annually)
- Fault history sheet
- Staff training records
- Contacts
Name 2 ways recording cycles can be done for a steriliser
- SD card
2. Printer
Name 5 daily tests which should be carried out on steam autoclaves
- Automatic control test
- Safety checks
- Remove chamber furniture and wipe
- Fill paper in printer
- Steam penetration (B and S)
Name 2 weekly autoclave tests which should be carried out
- Air leakage (B and S)
2. Residual air (S and N)
Name 3 things to check before using an instrument with regards to sterilisation
- Packaging is intact or if in contained has remained covered
- Sterilisation indicator confirms pack has been sterilised
- Free from visible contamination
