D E C O N T A M I N A T I O N
T
close attention to the following 7 steps.
he decontamination of instruments
Ensuring they're followed appropriately
by removing organic material is
and according to guidelines will likely
critical in the process of disinfec-
avoid suboptimal disinfection and steriliza-
tion and sterilization and, subsequently,
tion. Remember to always wear full PPE,
preventing healthcare-associated infec-
including gowns, gloves and face shields
tions. Effective sterilization cannot occur
or masks and goggles, when decontaminat-
if debris is left on or inside instruments.
ing instruments.
Protein material is not penetrable by
1. Rinse instruments in warm water
steam or gas. Staff who are unaware of the
immediately after the procedure to remove
importance of pre-disinfection may wrong-
organic material. This will aid in the clean-
ly assume that instruments headed for the
ing process by preventing blood, secretions
sterilizer need not be decontaminated. Be
and tissue from drying and caking. Dried
sure to conduct reprocessing competencies for central processing
department staff annually and as
needed.
The purpose of decontamination is to remove all organic
PRE-TREAT Today's instruments have complex, movable parts that
are difficult to disassemble and clean thoroughly. To prevent debris
from drying on instruments, it's best to soak them right away.
7
Keys to
Effective
Decontamination
material, including blood, secretions and tissue that has collect-
Steps you can take to
avoid breaches in
surgical instrument
reprocessing.
Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC
Delray Beach, Fla.
ed on the surface, in the grooves
and hinges of instruments before
high-level disinfection and sterilization.
Essential steps
If you're going to monitor your
decontamination process, pay
SUPPLEMENT
TO
O U T PAT I E N T
M AY 2013 | S U P P L E M E N T
TO
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E
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