Chapter 1 Intro to Sterile Processing

Importance of Sterile Processing department, with an emphasis on the service provided and the role of sterile processing in quality patient care, workflow process in an organized sterile processing department, and basic knowoledge and skills required for sterile processing technicians

what areas have barriers?

• decontamination

• sterilization

• prep & pack

• sterile storage/distribution

what is the decontamination area?

where all soiled instruments are recieved

other than the OR, where else can items be collected from?

• ICU

• Labor & delivery

• ED

what must happen after medical devices are recieved?

• sorted

• dissassembled

• cleaned

why is Decontamination important?

items cannot be considered sterile or HLD if not effectively cleaned, which is why cleaning is the first step in sterile processing

what are the two ways to get a successful cleaning process?

• manual

• mechanical

what is the first step in the sterile process?

cleaning

what is the OSHA required PPE?

• fluid resistant face mask

• fluid resistant cover gown

• eye protection

• general purpose utility gloves

• fluid resistant shoe covers

what happens to instruments in Prep & Pack?

• only arrive when theyre safe for handling

• inspected for cleaninless, proper function & possible defects

• INSTR & other devices are inspected, packaged & labeled in preperation for sterilization

what is the supply area?

dedicated storage of sterile instruments & clean or sterile supplies

what is the major portion of the supply area focused on?

• receiving, storing & dispensing supplies and sterile instruments

• major focus is the OR

how are case carts/pull sheets generated?

1. surgery is scheduled

2. authorized perssonel assign cart to each procedures

3. which generated case cart/pull sheet (pick list) that assigns item to doctor/procedure

what must be ensured in each step of the process?

• Instruments must be inspected to ensure cleaninless

• in good repair

• assembled

• processed correctly