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M AY 2 0 1 4 | S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
recommend the use of
rigid containers to
transport instruments
for IUSS because they
protect the items from
environmental contami-
nation. There are many
rigid containers
designed for conven-
tional sterilization, oth-
ers are validated for
IUSS, and some can be
used for both. Make
sure whichever contain-
er you use for immediate use has been validated for it.
Reprocessing techs must properly clean instruments in the decontamination
area — not in a scrub or hand sink — while wearing appropriate personal pro-
I N S T R U M E N T R E P R O C E S S I N G
DOUBLE CHECK Immediate-use
sterilization
must include chemical
indicators to ensure cycles reach the
proper endpoint.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
• During the reprocessing of
implants, except in a doc-
umented emergency when
no other option is avail-
able.
•
During the post-procedure
decontamination of instru-
ments used on patients
who may have
Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease
(CJD) or similar disorders.
• For devices or loads that
have not been validated
with the specific cycle
employed.
• For devices that are sold
sterile and intended for
single-use only.
SOURCE:
Multi-Society
Immediate-Use Steam
Sterilization Statement:
tinyurl.com/lbdcb6z
RED FLAGS
When Immediate-Use Should Not Be Used
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