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tions, but you operate in the real world. If you're in the middle of a case, the
patient is already anesthetized and a one-of-a-kind instrument is needed, perhaps
that's a good enough reason to employ IUSS. But then look at the situation and
decide what you can do to prevent it from happening again.
2. How should it be done?
Reprocess items the exact same way you would for terminal sterilization: The
only difference between IUSS and terminal sterilization is little to no dry time.
AORN and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
I N S T R U M E N T R E P R O C E S S I N G
Immediate-use sterilization:
•
Should be kept to a minimum, and not used for implants.
•
May be associated with increased risk of infections to patients.
•
Should not cover for insufficient instrument inventory.
•
May put pressure on personnel to eliminate one or more steps in the cleaning
process.
•
Should be exposed to the same multistep process (including decontamination,
preparation and documentation) as packaged items.
•
Should utilize containers to transport instruments to the point of use.
•
Must follow the device manufacturer's instructions. Specialty instruments could
require extended exposure time, and certain manufacturers of such devices do
not recommend flash sterilization.
— Rose Seavey, MBA, BS, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CSPDT
On the web:
Download Seavey Healthcare Consulting's handy immediate-use sterilization audit
checklist to ensure your staff is following the proper protocols:
outpatientsurgery.net/resources
DID YOU KNOW?
7 Key Points About Immediate-Use Sterilization
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