Low Temperature and Steris System

Low temperature sterilization is also called ____

Chemical sterilization

Steam sterilization is preferred over low temperature

True or False?

True

all low-temperature methods modify the cells at the ________ level

which makes the microorganisms unable to function

Molecular level

______ can block the passages of lumens

Condensation

Both steam and hydrogen peroxide will ______ under process conditions

Condense

Will ETO and ozone gasses condense or not condense during process conditions?

Not condense

Is ETO very effective and efficient or not very effective or efficient at penetrating deeply into items during the sterilization process?

very effective and efficient

ETO can diffuse, penetrate, and carry sterilant to recessed areas and mating surfaces.

Define: Recessed

Define: Mating

Recessed: fixed locations

Mating: Two areas of one or more parts that connect to each other

In the process of controlled amounts of
______ and ______, EtO reacts with
______ contents of microorganisms (for
example: proteins, DNA) on the items to
be sterilized, preventing the cell from
METABOLIZING or REPRODUCING – this
process is irreversible

Define: Metabolizing

Define: Reproducing

moisture and heat

cellular

Metabolizing: Turning food/minerals into new cells, energy, and waste

Reproducing: Produce a copy

ETO CHARACTERISTICS

10. 
    

Colorless

Flammable gas at room temperature

100% soluble in water

Odorless gas at low concentrations + sweet odor at higher concentrations

Flammable and explosive

Toxic

Irritates tissue and can cause chemical burns

If inhaled: it can cause nose and throat irritation

Itching, watering and irritation of the eyes

Classified as a carcinogen

ETO can be found in 100% concentrations as a ______ under mild pressure or as a _____ diluted with inert chemicals such as carbon dioxide or fluorinated hydrocarbons

Define: hydrocarbons

Liquid

Gas

Hydrocarbons: any compound made exclusively of Hydrogen and Carbon

List 3 moisture or heat-sensitive equipment that ETO can be used to disinfect

Flexible scopes

single-use medical products

Plastic catheters and dilators

At room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure, ETO will exist as a _____

When exposed to temperatures below its boiling point of _____ degrees C, it condenses into a ____

ETO will not be an effective sterilant until it reaches a temperature of _____ degrees C

Colorless gas

10.4 degrees, liquid

20

ETO as a gas:

Odorless at concentrations below _____ ppm, smells like _____ at toxic levels

Flammable at lower temperatures if concentrations are above ____% in the air

___X as heavy as air

500, Ether

3%

2X

ETO as a liquid:

_____ liquid at temperatures below ____ degrees C

Requires extremely high temperatures and high pressure for _____ to occur

Clear, 10.4 degrees

Ignition

For safety reasons, ETO in a Heathcare setting is diluted with an ___ gas which makes it nonflammable and non-explosive

Inert gas (a gas which does not undergo chemical reactions under a set of given conditions)

The following requirements are present when working with Eto

1-7

1. education and training needs to
   be provided ______

2. ______ work procedures must be
   in place

3. EtO sterilization area be in a _____ room, depending on the type of sterilizer used

4. the EtO sterilizer room must be ventilated by a dedicated _______ or have an _______ for all exhausted gas. Air
   pressure in the sterilizer room should be lower than in other work
   areas of the departments

5. Staff wearing _________

6. work areas must be monitored for elevated levels of EtO and _________

7. Emergency spill and leak
   procedures must be in place. This
   includes ______ and _______ in
   the use of _________ for specific
   hospital personnel.

   
   

1. Annually

2. Written

3. separate

4. Exhaust system or have an abator

5. monitoring badges

6. ventilation failure

7. provision and training, personal protective
   equipment (PPE)