Sterilization & Disinfection
Acclimating to OR, sterile processing department cultures
The differences between sterile processing (SP) and OR tasks and department cultures are significant. However, they share a collective goal: both work toward the best outcome for every patient. Still, both departments often suffer from having unrealistic goals for each other. One example is that the OR may expect instruments…
Vital role of the central sterile department in ASCs
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI) on any given day. To help mitigate HAIs, implementing infection control procedures and policies, frequently performing hand hygiene by all staff and patients, and keeping the healthcare environment…
Splash risks, droplet dispersal during instrument reprocessing
Editor's Note This pilot project, by epidemiologist Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and colleagues finds that routine reprocessing activities generate substantial splashing and droplet dispersal, and that currently recommended items of personal protective equipment (PPE) do not adequately protect personnel from exposure. The researchers found that: Droplets were generated during every…
Techniques for using sterilization containers, case-by-case basis
Sterilization containers are used in many surgery departments. They offer many benefits, including providing an exceptional barrier to microorganisms, protecting instruments from damage, and eliminating torn wrappers. These benefits can only be realized if the sterilization containers are used properly, however. Guidance for the use of sterilization containers is given…
FDA: Nationwide recall of certain SterRx drug products
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on November 15, announced the nationwide recall by SterRx, LLC, of 240 lots of its drug products. The recall was initiated because of the lack of sterility assurance due to equipment and process issues. The recalled drugs include: l mg/ml Midazolam in…
Quality monitoring for decontamination process
The foundation of sterilization is cleaning. How can we be sure that the mechanical cleaning equipment being used is producing clean medical devices? There are methods available to verify that the mechanical equipment used to clean medical devices is functioning appropriately. ANSI/AAMI ST79:2017 Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility…
Researchers raise the alarm on splashing during reprocessing--Part 2
Part 1 of this two-part series discussed the splashes and the potential for exposure to pathogens that personnel face daily in sterile processing and endoscopy departments, as well as the current guidelines and strategies for reducing exposures (OR Manager, July 2021, pp 1, 9-11, 15). These risks were derived from…
New term clarifies instrument point-of-use treatment
What exactly is required to prepare instruments for transport to the decontamination room after a surgical procedure? Point-of-use cleaning, which may also be referred to as precleaning, has been used to describe instrument preparation at the point of use after a surgical procedure. But both point-of-use cleaning and precleaning have…
FDA revokes EUA for non-NIOSH-approved respirators
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 30 announced that it is revoking the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for non-NIOSH-approved disposable respirators (including N95s), effective July 6. The announcement also revokes EUAs for decontamination and bioburden reduction systems for disposable respirators, effective immediately. The FDA says the…
Researchers raise the alarm on splashing during reprocessing--Part 1
Does it really matter if surgical instruments are submerged in cleaning solution when technologists or nurses scrub them after a case? Is there a reason for the 3-foot separation between dirty and clean areas? Do germs stop at the red line? During the COVID-19 pandemic, much attention has been focused…
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