Medcerts: Sterile Processing
minimally invasive surgery (MIS) - ANSa surgical procedure done 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. Compared with other procedures, minimally invasive
procedures involve smaller incisions, less bleeding, smaller amounts of anesthesia, less pain
and minimal scarring.
Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) - ANSa system of healthcare providers and organizations
that provides (or arranges to provide) a coordinated range of services to a specific
population
decontamination - ANSto make safe by removing or reducing contamination by by infectious
organisms or other harmful substances; the reduction of contaminated to an acceptable level
Personal protective equipment (PPE) - ANSa part of standard precautions for all healthcare
workers to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure when in contact with blood and
body fluid of any patient. PPE includes fluid-resistant protective clothing, disposable gloves,
eye protection, face masks, and shoe covers
Instructions for Use (IFU) - ANSinformation provided by a device manufacturer that provides
detailed instructions on how to properly use and process the device
Material Management Department - ANSthe healthcare department responsible for
researching, ordering, receiving, and managing inventory (consumable supplies)
standard precautions - ANSuse of appropriate barriers to protect healthcare personnel and
reduce the risk of infection transmission
case cart system - ANSan inventory control system for products/equipment typically used in
an operating room that involves use of an enclosed or covered cart generally prepare for one
surgical case, and not used for general supply
Technical Information Reports (TIR) - ANSreports developed by experts in the field,
containing valuable information for the healthcare industry
case cart - ANSa cart prepared for an individual procedure. case carts usually contain all
instruments, supplies and utensils needed for a specific procedure
Doctor's (Physician's) preference card - ANSa document that identifies a physician's needs
(requests and preferences) for a specific medical procedure. Preference cards usually
contain information regarding the instruments, equipment, supplies, and utensils used by a
specific physician. They may also include reminders for the staff of the physician's
preferences regarding patient, draping, instruments and supplies
,case cart pull sheet (pick list) - ANSa list of specific supplies, utensils, and instruments for a
specific procedure. Central Service Technicians use these lists to assemble the items
needed for individual procedures
Standard Precautions - ANSmethod of using appropriate barriers to reduce the risk of
transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens from both recognized and unrecognized
sources. It is the basic level of infection control to prevent transmission of infectious
organisms from contact with blood and all other body fluids to non-intact skin, and mucous
membranes . This standard applies to all patients, regardless of diagnosis or presumed
infectious status
Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) - ANSan infection that is not present when a patient is
admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility. If the infection develops in a patient on or after
day three of admission to the hospital or healthcare facility, the infection is referred to as a
healthcare-associated infection
job description - ANSa human resources tool that identifies the major tasks performed by
individuals in specific positions
certification - ANSassociation/industry recognition attained by individuals with educational
and/or work experience requirements who successfully complete an examination process
demonstrating their knowledge of pertinent, job-related subject matter
statute - ANSa written law adopted by a legislative body that governs a city, county, state, or
country
regulation - ANSrules issued by administrative agencies that have the force of law
standard - ANSa uniform method of defining basic parameters for processes, products,
services, and measurements
regulatory standards - ANSa comparison benchmark that is mandated by a governing
agency. Noncompliance with regulatory standards my lead to citations and legal penalties
voluntary standards - ANSguidelines or recommendations for best practices to provide better
patient care. Industry, nonprofit organizations, trade associations and others develop these.
best practice - ANSa method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to
those achieved by other means
one-way workflow - ANS-standard of operation
- one-way workflow:
soiled items > clean items > sterile items
- addresses decontamination, preparation and packaging, sterilization, sterile storage, and
distribution
, decontamination - ANS- receives soiled items
- items are cleaned (1st step in sterilization prcoess)
- removal of contaminants
preparation and packaging - ANSitems inspected for cleanliness, function, and defects
assembled, packaged, and labeled
sterilizatoin - ANSprocess to kill all micro-organisms
method used depends on type of item
quality assurance for effectiveness of processes
sterile storage area - ANSitems sent from the sterilization area
items will be distributed as required and requested
pulled the day or night before use
U.S. Food and Drug Administration - ANSthe federal agency responsible for ensuring that
foods, cosmetics, human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, and
electronic products that emit radiation are safe and effective for public use.
- functions within the Public Health Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
- regulates the manufacture of all medical devices and requires premarket clearance of new
medical devices
-regulates the sterilants and high-level disinfectants (HLDs) used to process critical and
semi-critical devices
- packaging materials, sterilizers and quality monitors, such as biological indicators, are also
regulated by the FDA
- Medical Device Classification: the level of regulation placed on any device depends on how
the FDA regulates that device (Class I-III)
- Pre- and Postmarket Requirements (PMA)
- Medical Device Reporting Requirements
MedWatch - ANS(FDA) a safety and information and adverse event reporting system that
serves healthcare professionals and the public by reporting serious problems suspected to
be associated with the drugs and medical devices they prescribe, dispense, or use
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - ANSfederal nonregulatory agency
organized within the US Dept. of Health and Human Services that works to promote health
minimally invasive surgery (MIS) - ANSa surgical procedure done 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. Compared with other procedures, minimally invasive
procedures involve smaller incisions, less bleeding, smaller amounts of anesthesia, less pain
and minimal scarring.
Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) - ANSa system of healthcare providers and organizations
that provides (or arranges to provide) a coordinated range of services to a specific
population
decontamination - ANSto make safe by removing or reducing contamination by by infectious
organisms or other harmful substances; the reduction of contaminated to an acceptable level
Personal protective equipment (PPE) - ANSa part of standard precautions for all healthcare
workers to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure when in contact with blood and
body fluid of any patient. PPE includes fluid-resistant protective clothing, disposable gloves,
eye protection, face masks, and shoe covers
Instructions for Use (IFU) - ANSinformation provided by a device manufacturer that provides
detailed instructions on how to properly use and process the device
Material Management Department - ANSthe healthcare department responsible for
researching, ordering, receiving, and managing inventory (consumable supplies)
standard precautions - ANSuse of appropriate barriers to protect healthcare personnel and
reduce the risk of infection transmission
case cart system - ANSan inventory control system for products/equipment typically used in
an operating room that involves use of an enclosed or covered cart generally prepare for one
surgical case, and not used for general supply
Technical Information Reports (TIR) - ANSreports developed by experts in the field,
containing valuable information for the healthcare industry
case cart - ANSa cart prepared for an individual procedure. case carts usually contain all
instruments, supplies and utensils needed for a specific procedure
Doctor's (Physician's) preference card - ANSa document that identifies a physician's needs
(requests and preferences) for a specific medical procedure. Preference cards usually
contain information regarding the instruments, equipment, supplies, and utensils used by a
specific physician. They may also include reminders for the staff of the physician's
preferences regarding patient, draping, instruments and supplies
,case cart pull sheet (pick list) - ANSa list of specific supplies, utensils, and instruments for a
specific procedure. Central Service Technicians use these lists to assemble the items
needed for individual procedures
Standard Precautions - ANSmethod of using appropriate barriers to reduce the risk of
transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens from both recognized and unrecognized
sources. It is the basic level of infection control to prevent transmission of infectious
organisms from contact with blood and all other body fluids to non-intact skin, and mucous
membranes . This standard applies to all patients, regardless of diagnosis or presumed
infectious status
Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) - ANSan infection that is not present when a patient is
admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility. If the infection develops in a patient on or after
day three of admission to the hospital or healthcare facility, the infection is referred to as a
healthcare-associated infection
job description - ANSa human resources tool that identifies the major tasks performed by
individuals in specific positions
certification - ANSassociation/industry recognition attained by individuals with educational
and/or work experience requirements who successfully complete an examination process
demonstrating their knowledge of pertinent, job-related subject matter
statute - ANSa written law adopted by a legislative body that governs a city, county, state, or
country
regulation - ANSrules issued by administrative agencies that have the force of law
standard - ANSa uniform method of defining basic parameters for processes, products,
services, and measurements
regulatory standards - ANSa comparison benchmark that is mandated by a governing
agency. Noncompliance with regulatory standards my lead to citations and legal penalties
voluntary standards - ANSguidelines or recommendations for best practices to provide better
patient care. Industry, nonprofit organizations, trade associations and others develop these.
best practice - ANSa method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to
those achieved by other means
one-way workflow - ANS-standard of operation
- one-way workflow:
soiled items > clean items > sterile items
- addresses decontamination, preparation and packaging, sterilization, sterile storage, and
distribution
, decontamination - ANS- receives soiled items
- items are cleaned (1st step in sterilization prcoess)
- removal of contaminants
preparation and packaging - ANSitems inspected for cleanliness, function, and defects
assembled, packaged, and labeled
sterilizatoin - ANSprocess to kill all micro-organisms
method used depends on type of item
quality assurance for effectiveness of processes
sterile storage area - ANSitems sent from the sterilization area
items will be distributed as required and requested
pulled the day or night before use
U.S. Food and Drug Administration - ANSthe federal agency responsible for ensuring that
foods, cosmetics, human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, and
electronic products that emit radiation are safe and effective for public use.
- functions within the Public Health Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
- regulates the manufacture of all medical devices and requires premarket clearance of new
medical devices
-regulates the sterilants and high-level disinfectants (HLDs) used to process critical and
semi-critical devices
- packaging materials, sterilizers and quality monitors, such as biological indicators, are also
regulated by the FDA
- Medical Device Classification: the level of regulation placed on any device depends on how
the FDA regulates that device (Class I-III)
- Pre- and Postmarket Requirements (PMA)
- Medical Device Reporting Requirements
MedWatch - ANS(FDA) a safety and information and adverse event reporting system that
serves healthcare professionals and the public by reporting serious problems suspected to
be associated with the drugs and medical devices they prescribe, dispense, or use
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - ANSfederal nonregulatory agency
organized within the US Dept. of Health and Human Services that works to promote health
