3 6 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E M A Y 2 0 1 6
also a critical step in qualification testing after a sterilizer is installed or relocated,
after it experiences a process failure or malfunction and after major repairs.
Indicators in practice
Always follow the manufacturers' instructions for use from both the indicator's
and the sterilizer's manufacturer when using and interpreting sterilization indica-
tors. Provide in-services and competency verification activities to all personnel
with a role in reading indicator results.
Sterile processing techs should review the physical monitors and the data pro-
duced by the sterilizer after every load. In addition, surgical team members
must determine whether all chemical and biological indicators have reached the
correct endpoint before an instrument or tray is placed on the sterile field.
If it is discovered that any of these results have not achieved the expected
endpoint, staff must react accordingly (see "When Sterilization Cycles Fail").
Always document sterilization activity. Keeping an accurate log of items
processed for specified cases or ORs will prove invaluable if an indicator failure
necessitates instrument recalls or patient notifications. Conduct periodic
reviews and evaluations of sterilization monitoring processes to verify compli-
ance, identify the need for improvement and trigger corrective action if
improvement is not achieved or sustained.
OSM
Ms. Van Wicklin (svanwicklin@aorn.org) is a senior
perioperative nursing practice specialist for AORN.
