sterilization indicators

Monitor the effectiveness of sterilization processes by providing visual cues that conditions for sterility have been met.

Sterilization Indicators

Simply placing an item in a sterilizer and initiating the process does not ensure sterility.

Sterilization Indicators

types of Sterilization Indicators

1. physical indicators

2. chemical indicators

3. biological indicators

these are integrated instruments that measure and record physical parameters of the sterilization cycle.

physical indicators

such as temperature, pressure and exposure time

physical indicators

color changing materials that react to sterilization conditions

chemical indicators

Failure to achieve sterility maybe the result of:

1. Improper cleaning (if an item cannot be disassembled and all surfaces cleaned, it cannot be sterilized)

2. Mechanical failure of the system used

3. Improper use of equipment of sterilization

4. Improper wrapping

5. Poor loading technique

6. Failure to understand the concepts of sterilization process

allow monitoring of the effectiveness of sterilization

sterilization

Indicators may undergo a ____or ___change in response to some combination of time and temperature.

chemical

biological

are available for steam, gas and plasma sterilization, generally consisting of paper strips or tape impregnated with a material that changes color when a certain temperature is reached.

Chemical Indicators

The chemical responds to conditions such as extreme heat, pressure, or humidity but the response does not reflect the duration of exposure which is critical to the sterilization process.

Chemical Indicators

It is important to remember that chemical indicators DO NOT indicate sterility only that certain conditions for sterility have been met.

Chemical Indicators

Indicators are placed in the center of each pack on the outside of the item to be sterilized.

Chemical Indicators

Some autoclaves have a temperature time graph on the control panel.

Chemical Indicators

This indicator is reliable for measuring the temperature reached and the length of time that each load is exposed is exposed to that temperature.

Chemical Indicators

the surest way to determine sterility

biological indicators

Strains of highly resistant nonpathogenic spore forming bacteria (Bacillus stearothermophilus for steam, Bacillus subtilis for gas) contained in a glass vial or a strip of paper is placed in the load of goods to be sterilized.

biological indicators

After the sterilization is complete, the vial or strip is recovered and cultured: growth-of-microorganisms documents inadequate sterilization.

biological indicators

Should be used weekly to test the effectiveness of the sterilization process.

biological indicators

strains of highly resistant nonpathogenic spore forming bacteria for STEAM

Bacillus stearothermophilus

strains of highly resistant nonpathogenic spore forming bacteria for GAS

Bacillus subtilis

are preassembled kits containing necessary sterilized instruments and supplies for a specific Veterinary surgery, such as spy/neuter pack, orthopedic pack, or ophthalmology pack or eye pack designed for efficiency and sterility

Surgical Pack Preparation

Procedure for wrapping items is based on

1. Enhancing the ease of sterilization

2. Preserving the sterility of the item

NOT on convenience or personal preference

Preserving the sterility of the item

Materials for maintaining sterility of instruments during transport and storage include:

1. Wrapped perforated instruments cassettes

2. Peel pouches of plastic or paper

3. Sterile container systems

4. Sterilization wraps (woven or unwoven)

Packaging materials should be designed for the type of sterilization process being used

Surgical Pack Preparation

Items sterilized by pressurized steam or other methods (e.g. EtO) must be wrapped in a specific manner

Surgical Pack Preparation

Packaging materials should also be appropriate for the items being sterilized.

Surgical Pack Preparation

Packaging materials should also be appropriate for the items being sterilized.

Surgical Pack Preparation

Metal closure (e.g. staples, paper clips) that might puncture packaging materials should not be used.

Surgical Pack Preparation

Rigid, boxlike devices made from heat-resistant and steam sterilizable high-performance plastic or other materials in which instruments can be placed and sterilized.

Sterile Container System

1st developed in the mid-1980s

Sterile Container System

Main function was to transport sterile instruments and dressings, durable and cost effective.

Sterile Container System

aid in pack organization

Sterile Container System

Tend to protect instruments better than wraps.

Sterile Container System

Most environmentally friendly because they do not require disposable packaging or laundered cloth.

Sterile Container System

Can not be torn or easily damaged and provide superior protection for surgical equipment.

Sterile Container System

Stack conveniently and can be processed much more rapidly than paper or cloth-wrapped trays.

Sterile Container System

Close container system require filters (in the lid only or in both the lid and the bottom of the container) and latches, seals, and/or tamper resistant seals.

Sterile Container System

_____ require filters (in the lid only or in both the lid and the bottom of the container) and latches, seals, and/or tamper resistant seals.

close container system

Rigid container maybe a good choice if the sterilization chamber is large enough to accommodate them and it current storage space is sufficient to accommodate the new configuration.

Sterile Container System

_____ maybe a good choice if the sterilization chamber is large enough to accommodate them and it current storage space is sufficient to accommodate the new configuration.

rigid container

Container ____and ____are used to accommodate most commonly used instruments, including scopes, drills and cameras

• size

• shape

The original sterilization wraps were ____ count muslin cloth

140 thred

The original sterilization wraps were 140 thread count muslin cloth

Cloth / Woven

Advantages: they are soft, reusable, inexpensive, absorbent, and could easily be draped over trays.

Cloth / Woven

Because they were woven, bacteria could penetrate the pack.

Cloth / Woven

Most hospitals double wrap packs when using cloth to reduce contamination of surgical instruments.

Cloth / Woven

Most hospitals ____ when using cloth to reduce contamination of surgical instruments.

double wrap packs

The introduction of polypropylene allowed the development of wraps possessing strength, barrier and repellant properties.

Disposable Cloth

The introduction of _____ allowed the development of wraps possessing strength, barrier and repellant properties.

polypropylene

The most preferred nonwoven technologies used in the medical market are:

1. Spunlaced

2. SMS (spunbond, meltblown, spunbond)

nonwoven are made of entangling polyester fibers with a layer of wood pulp.

spunlaced

SMS materials features a composite of 3 layers

1. spunlace

2. meltblown

3. spunbonded

Provide excellent protection from microbial contamination

SMS material (Disposable Cloth)

SMS material: Normally using _____ and then stacked together

polypropylene resin