Sterile Processing

The Infection Control Today® sterile processing page provides an inside look into the sterile processing (or central supply) department in the hospital where surgical instruments are cleaned, sterilized, and reprocessed in order to disinfect, remove bioburden, and prep for upcoming procedures. Sterile processing applies to not only the knives, scalpels, scissors, forceps, and clamps used in surgery, but also instruments such as endoscopes and duodenoscopes. ICT® reports on the latest technology but also on the means to disinfect that technology. Also, the trend toward making more disposable surgical equipment. What does that mean for the sterile processing team?

Latest News

Fall Back to Basics Conference and Vendor Show by MACSA HSPA Chapter    (Image by MACSA)
Mid-Atlantic Central Service Association HSPA Chapter Presents Fall Back to Basics and Vendor Show

October 14th 2024

The Mid-Atlantic Central Service Association (MACSA) HSPA Chapter presents its autumn conference on November 9, 2024, from 8-4 PM in Ridgeville, New Jersey.

Clean Hospitals Corner with Alexandra Peters, PhD
Celebrate Clean Hospitals Day 2024: Elevating Health Care Environmental Hygiene to Safeguard Patient and Staff Safety Worldwide

October 3rd 2024

Rebecca Leach, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC
Meet Infection Control Today's Editorial Advisory Board Member: Rebecca Leach, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC

September 30th 2024

Sterile Processing Perspectives with Marjorie Wall, EDBA< MLOS, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CSSBB
Every-Load Monitoring in Low-Temperature Sterilization: A Solution to Device Complexity and Failure Risks

September 26th 2024

Stay Ahead of Sepsis: ICT's Trending Topic
How Cleaning Medical Equipment Directly Affects Patient Safety and Equipment Longevity

September 16th 2024

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Proper Glove Use in the Prep Area of the SPD

February 16th 2016

Q: Are we allowed to use latex gloves in the decontamination area?  Is there any documentation in AAMI or OSHA that dictates the use of latex gloves in the decontamination area? Secondly, are we allowed to wear gloves in the sterile prep area while putting together trays?A:  According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administrations’ Blood Borne Pathogen Ruling (2001), “Personal protective equipment (i) Provision. When there is occupational exposure, the employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices. Personal protective equipment will be considered “appropriate” only if it does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through or reach the employee’s work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time that the protective equipment will be used. Accessibility. The employer shall ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment in the appropriate sizes is readily accessible at the work site or is issued to employees. Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, powderless gloves, or other similar alternatives shall be readily accessible to those employees who are allergic to the gloves normally provided.”


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Protecting Disinfected Laryngoscope Blades in Storage

January 11th 2016

Q: Recently our facility was cited for disinfected laryngoscope blades that were found unprotected from re-contamination in storage. What is the recommended practice for these items?A: This question has many implications. CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) says laryngoscope blades are “semicritical” items, which are defined as, “Items that directly or indirectly contact mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. They should be sterilized or subjected to high-level disinfection before reuse.”  After they are cleaned according to the manufacturer’s IFU, there are several options for processing laryngoscope handles and blades. Many laryngoscope blades can be high-level-disinfected. If high-level disinfection is used (check the manufacturer’s IFU for compatible chemicals), the blade must be protected from recontamination after processing. One way of accomplishing this is to place the blade in a zip-lock bag and then apply a “Clean Not Sterile” label to the top of the bag. (Make sure that you clean your hands first.)  If anyone opens the bag, the label will be damaged indicating the blade could be contaminated. At some facilities, laryngoscope blades are sterilized, which is acceptable but not necessary (CDC, 2003). Packaging blades requires the package to be opened if nursing must test the laryngoscope bulb on the blade. This results in a blade being replaced inside an open paper-plastic pouch.  The opened pouch does not protect the blade from contaminates.