Central Service Technical Manual Boxed Course: Sterile Processing Chapter 15 & 16 Flashcards

Designer of steam sterilizers

Important factors for sterilization

What is bioburden?

Transmission of heat from one part to another part of a material. Methods of high temperature sterilization (steam)

Transfer of heat from one point (or molecule) to another as liquid or gas circulates. Methods of high temperature sterilization (steam)

Transfer of heat from one object to another without warming the space between the objects. Methods of high temperature sterilization (steam)

Steam sterilization benefits

Size of steam sterilizers

Component of steam sterilizer - Surrounds top, middle and bottom of the vessel

Component of steam sterilizer - weakest part of a steam sterilizer, can be tightened but not loosened while the chamber is under pressure

Component of steam sterilizer - Located at the front or center of the floor in most sterilizers

Component of steam sterilizer - Located in the drain line and is the coolest place in the sterilizer. Controls the flow of air and condensate

Component of steam sterilizer - Provides a written record of sterilization

Type of gravity air displacement, typically used in clinics and dentists

What sterilizer operates at 250 degrees F

Small to medium sized sterilizer - hot air is introduced while rising to the top forcing cooler air to the bottom of the chamber

What additional items can a Gravity Air Displacement Sterilizer be used for

Similar in construction to gravity sterilizer except that a vacuum pump or water ejector removes the air during preconditioning phase

Temperature that Dynamic Air Removal Sterilizer operates at

What indicator is used to ensure a Dynamic Air Removal Sterilizer have all air removed

Special purpose pressure sterilizer intended for emergency use

A sterilizer that uses higher temperatures for shorter exposure times to handle emergency sterilization of dropped instruments

Combination units that wash and sterilize instruments to insure the safety of processing personnel

Steam Sterilizer Cycle phase 1

Steam Sterilizer Cycle phase 2

Steam Sterilizer Cycle phase 3

Steam Sterilizer Cycle phase 4

Process of sterilizing an item that IS NOT packaged

The process of sterilizing an item that IS packaged

Passive or active air removal - Gravity

Passive or active air removal - Pre vacuum steam sterilizer

Passive or active air removal - Pulse (Steam flush SFPP)

(STEAM)Once door is closed steam enters at the back portion and strikes a baffle plate to prevent steam from hitting the load

(STEAM) Pressure begins to rise, with temperature, system begins timing the ..... stage

(STEAM) At the end of the exposure phase, chamber drains, steam is removed through ..... line

(STEAM) Conclusion of exhaust phase, uses the heat of the chamber walls to activate ..... cycle

Conditions necessary for effective steam sterilization

In order to be effective steam sterilizers much reach ........

Inadequate exposure ........ can lead to failure of the process

When boiling water begins the volume increases gently. As it continues water changes to steam and temperature rises

Steam that contains the maximum amount of water vapor

Absolute pressure (-)atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi at sea level) also called over pressure

Gauge pressure (psi) + atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi at sea level)

Dry steam: the condition of steam when its temperature is too high relative to pressure in steam table

Higher elevation =

Several environmental factors can reduce its life eg heat, light, acids

The weight of wrapped basin sets should not exceed ....

What should be moistened with distilled water or demineralized water so air can be more easily displaced

Least used and least understood sterilizing agent

Dry heat is a relatively ....... sterilizing agent, and requires ..... temperature

Dry heat has the ability to penetrate a variety of materials, including

Dry heat sterilization is achieved by ....... heat

Dry heat advantages:

Dry heat disadvantages:

A heat transfer method in which heat is absorbed by an items exterior surface, and passed inwards to the next layer

The process of heat transfer by the circulation of current from one area to another

As air within the chamber is heated, it rises and displaces cooler air that descends into the lower part of the chamber.

Utilizes a blower system to insure even heating throughout the cycle

Devices intended for use with individual units - packs or containers

Systems that reveal a change in one or more predefined process parameters or physical change

Tape, load cards, Labels etc

Processing indicators used within individual packs to demonstrate that they have been exposed in the sterilization process

Indicators, such as the Bowie Dick

Single parameter indicators to react to one of the critical parameters of sterilization

Multi parameter indicators that react to two or more critical parameter's

Integrating indicators designed to react to all critical parameters over a specified range of sterilization cycles

Label information on sterilization packages etc

Number of days that have elapsed since January 1st

Include time, temp, pressure records, digital printouts and gauges

Geobacillus stearothermaophilus

Bacillus atrophacus

Procedures used by equipment manufacturers to obtain, record, and interpret test results in a sterile product

Procedures used by healthcare facilities to confirm that the validation undertaken by the equipment manufacturer is applicable to the specific setting

The amount of time to kill 90% of the microorganisms present

Death occurs in a definite relationship to time, and this rate is governed by factors including temp, age of test culture

Caused by abnormal proteins called prions

Virus like infectious agents that cause neurodegenerative disease

Solutions that are administered to patients intravenously

Solutions that are usexd for irrigating, topical application, and surgical use that are given orally or by inhalation

The continual movement of water from the atmosphere to the earth and back to the atmosphere

A water treatment process which dissolves impurities are separated from the water

Can be used to produced distilled water and isotonic solutions

The probability of a viable microorganism being present on a product unit after sterilization

Limits developed by OASHA to indicate the maximum airborne exposure an employee may be exposed to

The employees average airborne exposure in any 8 hour workday

The process by which Ethylene Oxide destroys microorganisms, inability of the cell to metabolize

The act or process of oxidizing - chemical breakdown of nutrients for energy

Process monitoring consist of:

Terminal low sterilization methods

Low temperature - To be effective it must meet a sterility assurance level of:

Toxicity standards low level
ETO

Toxicity standards low level
Hydrogen peroxide

Toxicity standards low level
Ozone

ETO Benefits

A process in which a device is subjected to moving air

The amount of ETO that remains after they are sterilized

Effective alkylating agent that kills wide range of microorganisms, destroys ability to reproduce

Popular low sterilization method because of short cycle times that allow faster turn around

Not compatible with powders and stronger absorbers such as paper, or linen. It cannot be used to process liquids

Destroys microorganisms by oxidation, and H2O2

Relatively new low temp sterilization method, requires no sterilant.

Overview ETO

Hydrogen perioxide/Plasma Overview

Ozone overview