THEORY FINAL - SECTION 3: INFECTION CONTROL UNIT BREAKDOWN/ INSTRUMENT PROCESSING/ STERILIZATION

What is the purpose of a chemical indicator?

To monitor the process of sterilization

What is the physical component of a chemical indicator?

A color change stripe or mark on an autoclave tape or bag

What does a color change indicate for a chemical indicator?

The package has been brought to a specific temperature

Is color change an indicator of sterilization?

No

What does an internal chemical indicator do?

Changes color to show that the instrument was exposed to temperature and steam for the required time

What does an external chemical indicator do?

Seals the package and changes color to show that the autoclave temperature has been reached

What are the three types of indicators used to monitor the ability of sterilization equipment to attain physical parameters required to achieve sterilization?

Chemical indicator, mechanical indicator, biological indicator

What are the types of chemical indicators?

Internal indicator and external indicator

What are the qualities of an acceptable storage area for sterilized items and clean dental supplies?

Stored 8-10 inches from the floor

5 inches from the ceiling

Covered storage (closed cabinet or drawer)

Date of sterilization and sterilizer being used is written on outside of packaging material

What are biological indicators also called?

Spore test

What is the importance of a biological indicator/ spore test?

Assesses the sterilization process by killing highly resistant microorganisms, if they die then everything dies

What is this?

External chemical indicator

What is this?

Internal chemical indicator

What is this?

Mechanical indicator

What are the elements of a mechanical indicator?

Time, temperature, pressure

What is this?

Biological indicator

What would you do if an instrument package was found compromised as you opened it?

Reclean, repack and resterilize

Digital radiography sensors are considered what level of patient care item?

Semi-critical