Decontamination – Sterile Processing and Infection Control – 2026 – Study and
Practice Guide
Decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ -The removal of all visable soil and any other foreign
material from the surgical instruments being reprocessed.
-Removal/Reduction of infectious organisms or other harmful substances.
-Cleaning - the most important step in the sterilization process.
-Assume the worst - it is getting ready to be used on someone you love!
-Everything is considered infected!
Hepititus B Immunization - correct answer ✔✔ All personnel working in Healthcare Must be
immunized.
NL - Twin Rix vaccination.
Cleaning fundamentals - correct answer ✔✔ -Manufacturer must provide instructions to
reprocess.
-New instruments must come with training and/or Inservice.
-Disease transmission increased if improperly cleaned.
-Improper cleaning can lead to faulty device performance/failure.
Cleaning Process - correct answer ✔✔ -Manual wiping, brushing, flushing or Mechanical
processes with enzymatics, detergents and water.
-Most important step in the sterilization process.
When to Clean? - correct answer ✔✔ -Surgical instruments have been used.
-Surgical instruments have been opened, not used.
-New surgical instruments.
, -Instruments are returned for repair
-Instruments are loaned from another hospital, and returned to their own hospital.
PPE - correct answer ✔✔ Hair covering
Face sheild/goggles
High filtration face mask
Reinforced gown made of gortex to provide fluid barrier
Utility gloves that covers sleeves of gown
Slip resistant shoe covers
All PPE should be removed before Decontam and new PPE put on when returning to
department.
Controlling spread of pathogens - correct answer ✔✔ 1. Staff must wear proper PPE
2. Only assigned staff are allowed in Decontam
3. Decontam is considered a dirty area and should be separated from the rest of the
department
4. All items returned to the department are considered contaminated and must be cleaned.
Decontam principles - correct answer ✔✔ 1. Access to Decontam area should be restricted to
staff who work in the area.
2. Relative humidity should be 35% - 70%
3. Work flow process should only flow one way.
Ventilation system - correct answer ✔✔ Important in Decontam design.
Prevents pathogens from spreading to other areas of the hospital (high microbial count in this
area)
Will keep staff cool due to the PPE they have to wear.
Practice Guide
Decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ -The removal of all visable soil and any other foreign
material from the surgical instruments being reprocessed.
-Removal/Reduction of infectious organisms or other harmful substances.
-Cleaning - the most important step in the sterilization process.
-Assume the worst - it is getting ready to be used on someone you love!
-Everything is considered infected!
Hepititus B Immunization - correct answer ✔✔ All personnel working in Healthcare Must be
immunized.
NL - Twin Rix vaccination.
Cleaning fundamentals - correct answer ✔✔ -Manufacturer must provide instructions to
reprocess.
-New instruments must come with training and/or Inservice.
-Disease transmission increased if improperly cleaned.
-Improper cleaning can lead to faulty device performance/failure.
Cleaning Process - correct answer ✔✔ -Manual wiping, brushing, flushing or Mechanical
processes with enzymatics, detergents and water.
-Most important step in the sterilization process.
When to Clean? - correct answer ✔✔ -Surgical instruments have been used.
-Surgical instruments have been opened, not used.
-New surgical instruments.
, -Instruments are returned for repair
-Instruments are loaned from another hospital, and returned to their own hospital.
PPE - correct answer ✔✔ Hair covering
Face sheild/goggles
High filtration face mask
Reinforced gown made of gortex to provide fluid barrier
Utility gloves that covers sleeves of gown
Slip resistant shoe covers
All PPE should be removed before Decontam and new PPE put on when returning to
department.
Controlling spread of pathogens - correct answer ✔✔ 1. Staff must wear proper PPE
2. Only assigned staff are allowed in Decontam
3. Decontam is considered a dirty area and should be separated from the rest of the
department
4. All items returned to the department are considered contaminated and must be cleaned.
Decontam principles - correct answer ✔✔ 1. Access to Decontam area should be restricted to
staff who work in the area.
2. Relative humidity should be 35% - 70%
3. Work flow process should only flow one way.
Ventilation system - correct answer ✔✔ Important in Decontam design.
Prevents pathogens from spreading to other areas of the hospital (high microbial count in this
area)
Will keep staff cool due to the PPE they have to wear.
