2 0
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 | M AY 2 0 1 4
I N S T R U M E N T R E P R O C E S S I N G
gest the pulsing dynamic
air-removal of pre-vacu-
um cycles, which are
more efficient in remov-
ing air from lumens and
complicated devices.
Document the same
parameters you'd note
during terminal steriliza-
tion cycles: specific steril-
izers used, instrument
lots and load numbers.
AORN recommends you
also define and document
the reason for immediate-use sterilization when such cycles are run.
4. What about implants?
Implants should typically not be run through immediate-use cycles. But if you
must, due to an emergent situation, include a biological indicator (BI) and a
Class 5 chemical indicator, and quarantine the implant until the results of the BI
come back. New BI indicators provide results within an hour, but if the patient
is anesthetized, you might not be able to wait that long, which is where the
Class 5 chemical indicator comes into play: It shows the same response as the
BI, but in a fraction of the time. However, you still have to document that the BI
was negative, and why you approved the early release of the implant before it
was quarantined.
5. What's an acceptable rate?
There is no national benchmark for the number of IUSS cycles. AORN advis-
es you to benchmark against your own performance. Determine a baseline
ONLY AS NEEDED Benchmark against your own perform-
ance and take steps to limit immediate-use sterilization.
Frieda
Schmidt
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