Immediate-Use Steam Sterilization: Best Practices

Immediate-use steam sterilization, formally referred to as flash sterilization, is currently a topic getting much attention by operating room and sterile processing personnel across the country. As a sterile processing manager of a large facility, I am keenly aware of the challenges involved with following best practices and guidelines to perform the complex procedure of sterilizing instruments for immediate use.  The Joint Commission received intense training in the entire process just last year and the surveyors will be certain to visit the operating room sub-sterile during their annual survey.