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INFECTION PREVENTION
a. as part of routine testing
Any time you're putting a sterilizer back into service — after a failed
load, after relocation or after repairs — you must verify the efficacy of
its operations. Routine testing isn't necessary, so long as chemical or biological indicators in packs show that sterilization is occurring.1 Test by
running 3 consecutive empty steam cycles with a biological or chemical
indicator in a test package or tray, and test each type of cycle separately.
Don't recommission the sterilizer "until all biological indicators are negative and all chemical indicators show a correct end-point response."1
6. Recent reports of instrument-related SSIs after orthopedic procedures
have put the spotlight on reprocessing arthroscopes and shaver blades.
Your sterile processing department suggests changing from high-level disinfection to sterilization for these instruments. Will this ensure a lower risk
of infection rates?
a. yes
b. no
b. no
Although there is debate on the issue, and sterilization is preferred and
provides a greater degree of assurance, high-level disinfection may be
necessary for manually removing bioburden and isn't sub-standard when
performed according to strict protocols. According to the CDC, this
"equipment is simple to clean and disinfect; surgical sterility is relative;
the natural bioburden on rigid lumened devices is low; and no evidence
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