HSPA - Chapter 1. Introduction to Sterile
Processing.Final Test Paper 2026\2027.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
A surgical procedure performed in a manner that causes little or no
trauma or injury to the patient; it is often performed through a cannula
using lasers, endoscopes or laparoscopes.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive procedures?
Shortened hospital stays
Less tissue damage and bleeding
Smaller amount of anesthesia
Less pain and minimal scarring
Smaller incisions
Reduced trauma
Shorter recovery times
SPD (Sterile Processing Department)
The SPD is the central location for the delivery of soiled (used) medical
devices and the distribution of clean and sterile items.
One-way flow of materials
Refers to the movement of products/materials from the soiled area to
the clean processing area and on to the sterile storage area.
Physical barriers/ walls used to separate the functional areas of
the SPD
These areas include:
Decontamination
, HSPA - Chapter 1. Introduction to Sterile
Processing.Final Test Paper 2026\2027.
Preparation and packaging (prep and pack)
Sterilization
Sterile storage/distribution
Decontamination
To make safe by removing or reducing contamination by infectious
organisms or other harmful substances to an acceptable level.
Cleaning
The removal of all visible and non-visible soil and any other foreign
material from medical devices being processed.
Why is decontamination an important process?
Items cannot be considered sterile or high-level disinfected if they are
not effectively cleaned; therefore cleaning is the first step in the
sterilization process.
How may an effective cleaning process be accomplished?
An effective cleaning process may be accomplished with manual and/or
mechanical cleaning techniques.
What knowledge is required for SP staff while working in
decontamination?
Thorough knowledge and understanding of microbiology
Protocols for waste disposal
Transportation of contaminated items
Operation of equipment used in the cleaning process (washer-
Processing.Final Test Paper 2026\2027.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
A surgical procedure performed in a manner that causes little or no
trauma or injury to the patient; it is often performed through a cannula
using lasers, endoscopes or laparoscopes.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive procedures?
Shortened hospital stays
Less tissue damage and bleeding
Smaller amount of anesthesia
Less pain and minimal scarring
Smaller incisions
Reduced trauma
Shorter recovery times
SPD (Sterile Processing Department)
The SPD is the central location for the delivery of soiled (used) medical
devices and the distribution of clean and sterile items.
One-way flow of materials
Refers to the movement of products/materials from the soiled area to
the clean processing area and on to the sterile storage area.
Physical barriers/ walls used to separate the functional areas of
the SPD
These areas include:
Decontamination
, HSPA - Chapter 1. Introduction to Sterile
Processing.Final Test Paper 2026\2027.
Preparation and packaging (prep and pack)
Sterilization
Sterile storage/distribution
Decontamination
To make safe by removing or reducing contamination by infectious
organisms or other harmful substances to an acceptable level.
Cleaning
The removal of all visible and non-visible soil and any other foreign
material from medical devices being processed.
Why is decontamination an important process?
Items cannot be considered sterile or high-level disinfected if they are
not effectively cleaned; therefore cleaning is the first step in the
sterilization process.
How may an effective cleaning process be accomplished?
An effective cleaning process may be accomplished with manual and/or
mechanical cleaning techniques.
What knowledge is required for SP staff while working in
decontamination?
Thorough knowledge and understanding of microbiology
Protocols for waste disposal
Transportation of contaminated items
Operation of equipment used in the cleaning process (washer-
