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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
autoclaving, low-temperature sterilization may be the next step.
The details are in the IFUs, from the type and concentration of detergent to
be used in manual cleaning to the proper manner of rinsing and drying, and
from the load capacities to the time and temperature parameters of the
mechanical cycles. Make sure your reprocessing techs have studied, and have
access to, these essential documents.
3. The proof of the process
There's no room for error in decontamination: Even a tiny oversight can cre-
ate a huge problem. Let's say a rongeur still has a fleck of bone stuck to it
when it's assembled into a tray, wrapped and steam sterilized. The surface
underneath that contaminant won't get sterilized, and may present a cross-
contamination risk to the next patient on whom the tool is used. As such,
quality control is essential to ensuring the proof of the process.
After the manufacturers' prescribed cleaning and decontamination steps
have been completed, our techs closely inspect the instruments as they
assemble and organize them into trays. If an item should fail this final inspec-
tion, it's returned to square one and goes through the process again.
Reprocessing depends on continuous supervision and monitoring. Not only
the monitoring of your staff — whether they're operating the washer-deconta-
minators and ultrasonic cleaners properly, wearing personal protective equip-
ment when it's mandated (and removing it in the right place), and even com-
plying with hand hygiene requirements — but also the monitoring of the
machinery, the functioning of which should be tested daily, as well as the
effectiveness of the chemicals and the quality of the water that make decont-
amination work.
You've got to be on your toes with every aspect of correct procedure.
Automated processes such as instrument tracking systems can help you to
stay on top of each step of the process. By following the items through
the department, you can see where feedback and training may be neces-
R E P R O C E S S I N G
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