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Sterilization > Test 1 > Flashcards

Test 1 Flashcards

0
Q

Define Bioburden

A

A viable microorganism identified on a product before and after the sterilization process. I.E. blood, bone, tissue

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1
Q

Define Sterile

A

Free from all microorganisms including spores (Aseptic means the same thing)

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2
Q

Define Spore

A

An inactive or dormant, but viable state of an organism that is difficulty to kill. Sterilization methods are monitored by their ability to kill a known population of resistant spores

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3
Q

Define Prion

A

An infection proteinaceous particle responsible for Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease. It is resistant to routine sterilization and disinfection process

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4
Q

Define Biological Indicator

A

a sterilization monitor consisting of a known population of resistant spore that is used to test the sterilizers ability to destroy sports and therefore ensure the item is sterile. This is dependent on the instruments being packed properly, placed in the sterilizer correctly and using the packaging materials

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5
Q

Define Bowie Dick Test

A

An air removal test that tests the ability of the autoclave to remove air from the chamber and ensure that steam is able t penetrate all surfaces loaded onto the auto clave.

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6
Q

How often is the Bowie Dick Test run?

A

Daily - in all vacuumed autoclaves that use steam under pressure

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7
Q

Define Chemical Indicator

A

A device used to monitor the process parameters in the sterilization ccle. They are specific to the process of sterilization used.

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8
Q

Define disinfection

A

Very different from sterilization as they do not kill all living organisms. They are microcidal agents used to reduce the number of microorganisms.
Disinfectants are used on inanimate objects

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9
Q

Low level disinfection

A

kills vegetative forms of bacteria, lipid viruses and some fungi

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10
Q

Intermediate level disinfection

A

kills vegetative bacteria, viruses, and fungi but NOT spores

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11
Q

High level disinfection

A

kills vegetative bacteria, viruses, fungi and some spores

i.e. gluteraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, cidex

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12
Q

antiseptics

A

Are bactericidal/ antimicrobial agents that can be used on LIVING tissue .. These agents are used to prep patients
i.e. Chlorhexidine (Hibitane) and idophors (Betadine)

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13
Q

How does the Spaulding Classification define Critical items?

A

Items coming into contact with sterile tissue, vascular system (intoduced beneath a mucus membrane). These items must be sterile.

i.e. surgical instruments, cardiac catheters, and all implants

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14
Q

Spaldings Classification - Semi Critical

A

Items that come into contact with unbroken mucus membranes. They may be sterile but must at least be disinfected (high level disinfection).

i.e. colonoscopes, gastroscopes, thermometers

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15
Q

Spalding Classification - Non Critical

A

Items in contact with intact skin - low level disinfection is required.

i.e. BP cuffs, stethoscopes, SPO2 probes, ECG leads

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16
Q

Decontamination Phase

A

Occurs before sterilization process - all instruments and equipment must be washed in this phase

17
Q

Name the 4 types of Sterilization

A
  1. Steam sterilization (Autoclave)
  2. Chemical sterilization (EO, Gas Plasma [Sterrad], Peracetic Acid [Steris])
  3. Radiation
  4. High Level Disinfection
18
Q

What are the three important factors to confider with steam sterilization

A
  1. moisture
  2. heat/temperature
  3. time
19
Q

Steam Sterilization

A

Application of steam under pressure. It is the oldest, safest and most economical.
High temperatures are required for the destruction of the microorganisms

20
Q

What allows the temperature to be reached within a certain period of time in Steam Sterilization?

A

Pressure

21
Q

What are the 5 phases to consider for the Steam Sterilization to occur

A
  1. Packing and loading
  2. Heating
  3. Destroying
  4. Cooling
  5. Testing
22
Q

What is the maximum size for textile packs in Steam Sterilization and what is the maximum weight

A

12x12x20 inches (30x30x50 cm)

12 lbs (4.3kg)

23
Q

Key points to consider in Steam Sterilization

A
  1. Screws and stylets must be diassembled, and rubber must be separated from instruments
  2. Never have solid metal against solid metal or rubber items sticking together - steam cannot penetrate
  3. Lumens must be flushed with water
24
Q

What do steam/chemical indicator tapes indicate

A

The package has gone through a sterilization process. They do not guarantee sterility, but ensure that certain parameters of heat and moisture have been met.

25
Q

How long should packs be allowed to dry for in Steam Sterilization?

A

Steam Sterilization requires packs to dry for at least 15-20 Minutes

26
Q

How long should packs be allowed to cool for in Steam Sterilization?

A

In Steam Sterilization packs should be allowed to cool for anywhere between 30 - 60 minutes

27
Q

Flash Sterilization

A

A sterilization indicator must be used that is specific to the flash sterilizer.

28
Q

What is the Nurses responsibility when using the Flash Sterilizer

A

Ensure that sterilizer information and print out information is documented in the patients information chart and that it becomes a part of the OR record. A incident report must also be generated.

29
Q

Descrive Ethylene Oxide

A
  1. used to sterilize items that are heat-sensitive
  2. A chemical agent that kills microorganisms and spores
  3. Much cooler process than Steam Sterilization
  4. Must be aerated after sterilization for a min of 8-12 hours @ 50 C
  5. EO is colourless, very toxic and flammable gas
30
Q

Describe Gas Plasma Sterilization (Sterrad)

A

Often uses Hydrogen Peroxide

  • works by making a plasma cloud around the items to sterilize them
  • uses lower temps than steam
  • completed in 2-3 hours, requires no special ventilation or aeration and leaves no toxic residue
31
Q

What is unusual about Gas Plasma Sterilization?

A

Wrappers cannot be cellulose-based (i.e. linen or paper cannot be used) because cellulose absorbs the sterilant and the system aborts.
Synthetic nonwoven polypropylene wraps (spunguard) are used instead

32
Q

Describe Peracetic Acid

A

Used to sterilize endoscopes. Takes about 30 minutes, and the scopes must be used within 1-2 hours of sterilization.
Endoscopes come out wet and must be aseptically dried before using.

33
Q

What is irradation used for?

A

Gloves and sutures

34
Q

In the OR, nurses are responsible for checking…

A
  1. Chemical Process Indicator is appropriate to the sterilization method
  2. Load indicator labels should be on the exterior of all packages
  3. All instruments and their parts are open for sterilization
  4. Lumens are wet for Steam Sterilization and dry for EO, Plasma and Peracetic Acid
35
Q

What is the steam saturation point that is necessary to kill microorganisms?

A

The recommended Steam Saturation temperature is 250F or 121 C

36
Q

Which organisms is most frequently implicated in surgical site infections?

A

Staphylococcus Aureus is most frequently implicated in surgical site infections

37
Q

What is the purpose of a chemical indicator?

A

A chemical indicator is used to detect failures in packaging, loading, or sterilizer function, such as the presence of cool air pockets inside the sterilizing chamber.

38
Q

What is the standard for OR air exchanges per hour?

A

The standard for OR air exchanges is a minimum of 15 total air exchanges per hour with the equivalent of at least 3 being of outside air

39
Q

What is the recommended temperature in the OR to control bacterial growth?

A

The recommended temperature to control bacterial growth is 68F to 73F or 20-23C

40
Q

What is Ethylene Oxide (EO)?

A

EO is an alkylating agent used to sterilize heat-labile and moisture-sensitive items

41
Q

Define the word asepsis

A

Asepsis is the term used to describe the absence of infectious organisms

Sterilization (1 decks)

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