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Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization of Medical Equipment
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization of Medical Equipment
Introduction
Medical equipments and surgical instruments are examples of devices that are essential to the care of patients; however, because they typically are designed for reuse, they also can transmit pathogens if any of the steps involved in reprocessing, cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization are inadequate or experience failures. Because the vast majority of pathogens are present in organic matter, e.g. visible soil, the first step in reprocessing, cleaning, is the most important. Any failure to remove soil at this point creates the potential for transmission of infection as the efficacy of subsequent disinfection or sterilization will be compromised. Decontamination is the process by which microorganisms are removed or destroyed in order to render an object safe. It includes: 31 • • • Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization.
All hospitals and health care facilities should have a decontamination policy and help staff to decide what decontamination process should be used for which item of equipment. 11
Processing Instruments
Definition of Terms
Antimicrobial agent: Any agent that kills or suppresses the growth of microorganisms. Biocide: A chemical or physical agent that kills all living organisms, pathogenic and nonpathogenic. Biologic indicator (BI): A standardized preparation of bacterial spores on or in a carrier serving to demonstrate whether sterilizing conditions have been met. The type of spore varies by type of sterilization.
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Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization of Medical Equipment
Cleaning: Cleaning is a process, usually involving detergent or enzymatic presoak that removes foreign material (e.g. dirt or microorganisms) from an object. Cleaning is the most essential step in reprocessing instruments and equipment. Decontamination: The use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate,
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization of Medical Equipment
Introduction
Medical equipments and surgical instruments are examples of devices that are essential to the care of patients; however, because they typically are designed for reuse, they also can transmit pathogens if any of the steps involved in reprocessing, cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization are inadequate or experience failures. Because the vast majority of pathogens are present in organic matter, e.g. visible soil, the first step in reprocessing, cleaning, is the most important. Any failure to remove soil at this point creates the potential for transmission of infection as the efficacy of subsequent disinfection or sterilization will be compromised. Decontamination is the process by which microorganisms are removed or destroyed in order to render an object safe. It includes: 31 • • • Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization.
All hospitals and health care facilities should have a decontamination policy and help staff to decide what decontamination process should be used for which item of equipment. 11
Processing Instruments
Definition of Terms
Antimicrobial agent: Any agent that kills or suppresses the growth of microorganisms. Biocide: A chemical or physical agent that kills all living organisms, pathogenic and nonpathogenic. Biologic indicator (BI): A standardized preparation of bacterial spores on or in a carrier serving to demonstrate whether sterilizing conditions have been met. The type of spore varies by type of sterilization.
137
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization of Medical Equipment
Cleaning: Cleaning is a process, usually involving detergent or enzymatic presoak that removes foreign material (e.g. dirt or microorganisms) from an object. Cleaning is the most essential step in reprocessing instruments and equipment. Decontamination: The use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate,