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• number of microorganisms on a contaminated object
• also called bioload, or microbial load

a sterilizer that uses higher temps for shorter exposure times to handle emergency sterilization of dropped instruments

combination units that wash and sterilize instruments to insure the safety of processing personnel

the process of sterilizing an item that is not packaged

the process of sterilizing an item that is packaged

steam that contains the maximum amount of water vapor

• absolute pressure (-) atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi at sea level)
• also called overpressure

gauge pressure (psi) (machine produced) + atmosphere pressure (14.7 psi at sea level)

• "dry" steam
• the condition of steam when its temp is too high relative to its pressure in a steam table

a heat transfer method in which heat is absorbed by an item's exterior surface, and passed inward to the next layer

the process of heat transfer by the circulation of currents from one area to another

devices intended for use with individual untis to demonstrate that the unit has been exposed to the sterilization process, and to distinguish between processed and unprocessed units

systems that reveal a change in one or more predefined process parameters on the basis of a chemical or physical change that results from exposure to a process

label information on sterilization packages, trays, or containers that identifies the sterilizer, cycle run, and date of sterilization

number of days that have elapsed since jan 1st

microorganism with a thick wall surrounding it that enables the organism to survive in adverse conditions including high temps

procedures used by equipment manufacturers to obtain, record, and interpret test results required to establish that a process consistently produces a sterile product

procedures used by healthcare facilities to confirm that the validation undertaken by the equipment manufacturer is applicable to the specific setting

the amount of time required to kill 90% of the microorganisms present

virus-like infectious agents that cause a variety of nerodegenerative diseases of human and animals, including CJD in humans

solutions that are administered to pts intravenously

solutions that are normally used for irrigating, topical application, and surgical use that are given orally or by inhalation

the continual movement of water from the atmosphere to the earth and back to the atmosphere

a water treatment process in which dissolved impurities are seperated from water by forcing the water through a molecular filter membrane

probability of a viable microorganism being present on a product unit after sterilization

limits developed by OSHA to indicate the maximum airborne concentration of a contaminant to which an employee may be exposed over the duration specified by the type of PEL assigned to that contaminant

the employee's average airborne exposure in any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week which should not be exceeded

the process by which ethylene oxide destroys microorganisms, resulting in the inablility of the cell to normally metabolize, reproduce, or both

the act or process of oxidizing: the chemical breakdown of nutrients for energy

• process in which a device is actively subjected to moving air.
• ex: items being sterilized with ethylene oxide gas

the amount of EtO that remains inside materials after they are sterilized

verification

bowie dick test

thermostatic trap

rubber bands

convection

gravity

7 pounds

baccilus atrophaeus

conduction

ozone

ethylene oxide

less than 1 hr

bacillus atrophaeus

4 hours

8 hours

geobacillus stearothermophilus

12+ hours

OSHA

FDA

turnaround time

• chemical
• physical
• and biological monitors

ozone and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma

toxic gas

hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization

device's mannufacturer

relative humidity

the sterilization process of choice in healthcare facilities, and is achieved by subjecting items being processed to thermal energy from moist heat (steam) or dry heat

• type of microorganisms present
• number of microorganisms (bioburden)
• the amount and type of soil present
• the amount of protection the medical device provides

• low cost
• sterilization cycles are fast
• it is relatively simple tech
• it leaves no chemical residues or by-products behind

the door

is located at the front or center of the floor of most types of steam sterilizers and must be cleaned at least daily

• date and time the cycle began
• selected cycle parameters and activities such as type of cycle, sterilization temp., and dry times
• a written record of actual cycle activities

thermally-operated valve closes which causes the steam to build-up pressure until the operating temp (normally 121 degrees C [250 degrees F] is reached)

• type of steam sterilizer
• hot air is introduced which rises to the top forcing cooler air to the bottom of the chamber and out the drain, while dynamic air removal units eliminate air during the preconditioning phase with pressure and vacuum pulses

sterilize liquids

a vacuum pump or water ejector removes the air during the preconditioning phase prior to reaching the exposure temp.

• higher temp than gravity sterilizers
• 270-275 degrees F

• bowie-dick test
• or daily air removal test (DART)

• are often found in operating rooms or surgical suite substerile rooms
• (labor and delivery and special procedures areas that perform invasive procedures)
• their intended use is for the emergency sterilization of instruments when there is not time for terminal sterilization

may be found in the central service decontamination area, adjacent to operating rooms, or in clinics and surgery centers

• transmission of heat from one part to another part of a material
• sterilization method: dry heat

• transfer of heat from one point
• sterilization method: Steam

• transfer of heat from one object to another without warming the space between the objects
• Sterilization method: radiation (not used in hospitals)
• Ex: from the sun to the earth

sterilizing an item that is not packaged

sterilizing an item that is packaged

• conditioning
• exposure
• exhaust
• drying

• steam enters at the upper back portion of the sterilizer, and strikes a baffle plate to preventthe steam from directly hitting the load.
• as steam enters, air is displaced through the drain

• the pressure begins to rise as does the steam temperature.
• after the desired temp is reached, the sterilizer's control system begins timing the cycle's exposure phase

the chamber's drain is opened, and the steam is removed through the discharge line

drying begins at the conclustion of exhaust phase if packaged items are in the load

• contact
• time
• temp
• moisture

• 250- gravity 15 psi
• 270- prevac 27 psi

• is mandatory for effective steam sterilization
• is like a fog because it holds many tiny water droplets in suspension
• has a relative humidity of 97% to 100%