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Understanding Current Steam Sterilization Recommendations and Guidelines
Author(s) -
Spry Cynthia
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/j.aorn.2008.06.016
Subject(s) - sterilization (economics) , quality assurance , perioperative nursing , operations management , perioperative , medicine , risk analysis (engineering) , business , process management , computer science , medical emergency , engineering , surgery , external quality assessment , finance , exchange rate , foreign exchange market
PROCESSING SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS in preparation for surgery is a complex multistep practice. It is impractical to culture each and every item to determine sterility; therefore, the best assurance of a sterile product is careful execution of every step in the process coupled with an ongoing quality control program. PERIOPERATIVE STAFF NURSES and managers responsible for instrument processing, whether for a single instrument or multiple sets, must be knowledgeable with regard to cleaning; packaging; cycle selection; and the use of physical, chemical, and biological monitors. Nurses also should be able to resolve issues related to loaner sets, flash sterilization, and extended cycles. AORN J 88 (October 2008) 537–550. © AORN, Inc, 2008.