Contamination
● The sterile processing technician should be aware of these contaminants:
a. Blood
b. Urine
c. Fecal matter
d. Mucous membrane secretions
e. Dirt/debris
f. Bioburden/Biofilms
Decontamination
● Items are decontaminated by the following sources:
○ Automated washer- Used often to decontaminate case carts after each use.
○ Mechanical washer- Uses thermal disinfection and mechanical processes to
decontaminate surgical instruments.
○ Thermal disinfection- Uses extreme heat to destroy microorganisms in various
thermal disinfection devices.
○ Chemical disinfection- Utilizes various chemicals to destroy microorganisms
depending on the device contaminated.
● After cleaning, surgical instruments must be thoroughly rinsed in a third sink, which is
considered to be the final rinse.
○ The final rinse must always be done with demineralized waters such as distilled,
deionized, or reverse osmosis water.
Decontamination in an Instrument Rack
● After surgical instruments are cleaned, they’re placed on an instrument rack and sent
through the mechanical washer for decontamination
● The instruments are washed with a low-sudsing detergent at temperatures ranging from
140 degrees F to 180 degrees F (60 C to 82 C).
○ Note that contaminated items should always be transferred in a biohazardous
container to limit cross-contamination.
● The following guidelines describe the composition of the decontamination equipment:
○ Negative air pressure for contaminate containment.
○ Sharps collection device within the area.
○ Proper disposal area for hazardous waste.
○ Eyewash station in visible area.
○ Area for wearing and removing PPE.
○ Sufficient space to accommodate all equipment, supplies, and instrumentation.
○ Have an area with a separate hand-washing sink.
○ Have a distinct area for cleaning and decontaminating instruments and medical
equipment.
● The sterile processing technician should be aware of these contaminants:
a. Blood
b. Urine
c. Fecal matter
d. Mucous membrane secretions
e. Dirt/debris
f. Bioburden/Biofilms
Decontamination
● Items are decontaminated by the following sources:
○ Automated washer- Used often to decontaminate case carts after each use.
○ Mechanical washer- Uses thermal disinfection and mechanical processes to
decontaminate surgical instruments.
○ Thermal disinfection- Uses extreme heat to destroy microorganisms in various
thermal disinfection devices.
○ Chemical disinfection- Utilizes various chemicals to destroy microorganisms
depending on the device contaminated.
● After cleaning, surgical instruments must be thoroughly rinsed in a third sink, which is
considered to be the final rinse.
○ The final rinse must always be done with demineralized waters such as distilled,
deionized, or reverse osmosis water.
Decontamination in an Instrument Rack
● After surgical instruments are cleaned, they’re placed on an instrument rack and sent
through the mechanical washer for decontamination
● The instruments are washed with a low-sudsing detergent at temperatures ranging from
140 degrees F to 180 degrees F (60 C to 82 C).
○ Note that contaminated items should always be transferred in a biohazardous
container to limit cross-contamination.
● The following guidelines describe the composition of the decontamination equipment:
○ Negative air pressure for contaminate containment.
○ Sharps collection device within the area.
○ Proper disposal area for hazardous waste.
○ Eyewash station in visible area.
○ Area for wearing and removing PPE.
○ Sufficient space to accommodate all equipment, supplies, and instrumentation.
○ Have an area with a separate hand-washing sink.
○ Have a distinct area for cleaning and decontaminating instruments and medical
equipment.
