13 Principles of Sterile Technique

A. Massage mediums need to be stored in a cool dry place in airtight containers with a pouring cap as this prevents wastage. After each use all the lids must be closed and stored correctly in date order as this prevents cross-contamination, stops the oil from spilling, it makes sure that you don’t use any new ones without finishing the older ones first, it also makes sure that you comply with the health and safety legislation.

E. If you are preparing for winter storage, place glove in a plastic bag to keep from dust

All equipment must be cleaned in between patients if it is re-usable and not for single use. There are three levels of risk High, intermediate and low, and three ways to decontaminate Cleaning, Sterilisation, and Disinfection.

Has anyone ever considered how medical devices are prepared before a surgical procedure? Central Sterile Processing Department (CSPD) consists of services within the Hospital, in which reusable medical devices will be cleaned, prepared, and processed. The role for CSPD is to prevent infection transmitted by usage of medical devices. The procedure for hospital medical devices before surgery has a four part workflow process in: Decontamination, to Instrumentation, to Sterilization and Sterile Storage (Case Carts). An example is given for reprocessing an Intestinal Set and the supplies needed for the preparation of this medical device set.

All areas that are being used for healthcare activities should be cleaned with either disinfectant wipes each morning and in between patients/procedures. Equipment should be all new out of the packets and clean. For things more major such as vasectomy’s, minor surgery or family planning clinics, areas should be cleaned everywhere with a disinfectant fluid and also with wipes, gloves should always be worn as well as other PPE such as aprons and hats. All equipment should be new from the packet and only touched by the person who is using

Sterile Processing compromises a service of which the medical and surgical supplies of any medical facility’s equipment and instrumentation- sterile or non-sterile are cleaned, prepared, processed, stored, and distributed throughout the healthcare facility. There are several functions of this highly skilled team perform on a daily basis from decontamination to the sterilization of high risk medical implant devices. They are the first line of defense in infection prevention for any patient receiving medical treatment in healthcare facilities. Japp (2014) affirmed the importance of properly processing medical devices performed by Sterile Processing technicians for patient safety by stating a critical point “Not following the correct process can be detrimental to the patient as the device that we are assuming is safe for the patient may all actually cause severe illness or death” (p.

The third is dry heat. Dry heat is one of the earliest forms for sterilizing. This form is as it sounds, dry heat utilizes hot air that is either free from water vapor, or has very little of it, and where this moisture plays a minimal or no role in the process. The way dry heat sterilizes is by coagulating the proteins in any organism, thus causing drying of cells. Dry heat can even burn them to ashes.

2. The space under the free edge, called the HYPONYCHIUM, must be scrupulously cleaned when scrubbing for patient care.

In order to support the client to store and use items safely I would discuss with and refer them to any health and safety instructions that may come with or be noted on the products.

Blood-borne infections are not spread by respiratory droplets, so the use of masks is not necessary.

However, to keep these pieces of medical equipment up and running, they must take solemn practices of sanitizing and cleaning of the materials.

Hart (2004) states the principle of Aseptic Technique is to prevent the spread of micro organisms to wounds and to protects the nurse and patient from healthcare-associated infections (HCIA). The technique used for less invasive procedures such as intravenous drugs and wound care is the Aseptic No-touch Technique (ANTT) (Pratt et al 2007).

Contact precautions include: the patients being placed in private rooms, performing proper hand hygiene with antimicrobial soap and water, using friction for 15 seconds, and using gloves and gowns during patient care (Keske and Letizia 332). “One should also ensure adequate cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces and reusable devices. The uses of both buffered and buffered phosphate hypochlite solutions (bleach) have been shown to decrease the rate of C. difficile contamination and helps in reducing Clostridium Difficile associated disease (CDAD) rates” (Patel 104).

Most medicines should be stored in a dry place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, and far away from children’s reach, while others may require refrigeration. This can avoid the premature cessation of the efficiency of the medicine. On the other hand, throw away expired medications for they are either ineffective or toxic.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the leading type of infections among hospitalized patients. There are so many reasons why people go for surgery; it can be an emergency reasons or elective. According to Beaver, (2008) a primary concern in healthcare today is the prevention of infections. Careful handling of the surgical equipment reduces the chances of surgical site infections, for instance equipment sterilization and careful hand hygiene of surgical equipment.