wk 1-2 Flashcards
metals
elements naturally present in earth’s crust
alloy
a metal made by combining 2 or more
metallic elements
steels
alloy made from iron metal by adding
varying amounts of others element such as carbon, chromium, nickel, etc
corrosion
deterioration of a metal
rust
compound formed when iron is exposed to oxygen and water over time. Causes metal to break down & become weak. Also called iron oxide
chrome
coating applied to steel “chrome plating”
* Less expensive than stainless steel
* Used for outpatient treatments, minor procedures, and on far
stainless steel
metal alloy made up of chromium & nickel
* Resists staining, corrosion and rust
* More commonly used than chrome plated instruments
* More expensive
* nickel and chromium
* thin layer of chromium oxide to thicken with age
*
tungsten carbide
- Strong, durable metal
- Recognized by gold-colored handles
- Inner jaws of needle holders called “inserts”
- Cutting edge of scissors
- Strengthens surfaces & retains sharp edge
- When these inserts wear out can be replaced. Do not have to replace entire instrument
cleaning instruments after use
- Use toothbrush
- Cool water +/- detergent
ultrasonic cleaner
High frequency sound waves
are converted to mechanical
vibrations.
* Causes microscopic bubbles
to form on every surface
bubbles explode creating
minute vacuums which draw
out the tiniest particles of
debris
surgical milk
- Lubricates
- Help to prevent rust
* Mix surgical milk with water
* Soak instruments for short time (30 sec)
* Do not rinse
* Instruments must be dry before autoclaving.
before sterilizing
- Dry thoroughly prior to autoclaving.
- Inspect instruments after each use and before sterilization for
damage and proper function. - Focus on box locks and ratchets of instruments.
- Replace/repair as needed
causes for corrosion
- Excessive moisture on instruments prior to autoclaving
- Too short autoclave drying time
- Hard water
causes for rust
- Excessive moisture
- Sterilizing stainless steel and imperfectly chrome-plated
instruments in same pack. - Rust cannot be rinsed off.
importance of sterilization
Control microorganisms and pathogens
* Protects patients
* Protects staff
* Promotes healing & wellness
* Improper sanitation can lead to increased risk of contamination
clean
The physical removal of organic or inorganic soils and microbial contaminants
sanitize
Removal of infectious material and pathogens
contamination
Process by which something is rendered unclean or unsterile
asepsis
Absence of pathogenic microorganisms; disease producing
sterile
Absence of all living microorganisms including spores
disinfectant
Substance that inhibits or prevents the
growth of microbes on an inanimate object
antiseptic
Substance that inhibits or prevents the growth of microbes on living tissue
bacteriostatic
Agents that prevents the growth of bacteria.
* Benzyl alcohol
* Preservative in liquids you don’t want bacteria to grow i
bacteriocidal
Substance that destroys or kills bacteria.
* Iodine, Chlorhexidine
* Surgical scrubs
factors that impact the control of contamination
- Time
- Temperature
- Concentration & Preparation
- Organisms
- Surface
- Organic debris
- Method of Application
guidlines for sterilization
- All materials must be properly cleaned before sterilization
- All material must be properly wrapped
- All materials must be properly positioned in the sterilizer to allow
contact of all surfaces - All materials must be allowed to dry before removing.
sterilization methods
- Autoclaving
- Flashing
- Boiling
- Dry Heat
- Gas
- Radiation
- Cold Disinfecting
autoclaving mode of action
- Heat – killing agent denatures microbial protein
- Steam – that supplies the heat & promotes penetration of the heat
- Pressure – creates adequately heated steam
factors for successful autoclaving
temp
time
pressure
advantages of autoclaving
- Economical
- Consistent
- Safe
disadvantages of autoclaving
- Will dull sharp instruments
- Need pressurized equipment
- Can scorch fabric if too dry
- May leave packs wet-moisture will
damage instruments
process of using autoclave
- Fill reservoir with distilled water.
- Turn knob to fill chamber with water.
- Loosely load with items to be autoclaved.
- Make sure red needle is on 0 psi
- Start heat cycle (Set heat & pressure, time)
- When timer goes off turn knob to exhaust/dry (Allows steam to vent, forcing water from chamber back into
reservoir-aids drying; Also check that temp & pressure reached correct level) - When pressure = 0 psi, door is opened a bit to allow additional steam to escape.
- Set timer for dry with door slightly open
flash autoclave
one item; 4 minutes
antiseptics
Chlorhexidine gluconate
Iodophors
Avagard
disinfectants
alcohols
Roccal-D
Decon-Quat
scrub
first step; thicker consistency; creates suds (mixed with detergent)
solution
second step; thinner consistency
properties of ideal wrapping material
- It should be an excellent barrier against microbes
- It should allows steam to penetrate deep into pack
- It should be easy to handle
- It should resists tearing
- It should be inexpensive
wrapping materials
paper, cloth, plastic
4 basic groups of packs
- Gown and towel packs
- Glove packs
- Standard instrument packs
- Special instrument packs
pack preparation
- Materials are placed in the pack in the order of their projected use.
- Leave some room for steam circulation within the pack.
- Materials used first are placed on top.
- Drapes
- Towel clamps
- A sterilization indicator strip is placed within pack to indicate proper sterilization has occurred.
- Indicators are placed in the center of the pack.
- Color will fully move across the indicator after proper temperature is reached - +/- time
- We will place 2 strips in our instrument packs
pack sterilization failure
- Packed too tightly or that are improperly loaded in the autoclave.
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Insufficient temperature and pressure.
- Exposure time in autoclave too short.
