Chapter 23

As a result of successfully completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Review basic similarities and some differences between sterile processing in hospitals and other healthcare facilities

Explain basic standards and practices used for sterile processing in ambulatory surgical centers:

Overview and History Ownership and Regulatory Standards ASC Processing Personnel Processing Environment

Explain basic standards and practices used for sterile processing in dental facilities:

Environmental Issues Instrument Processing Procedures

Provide an overview of Veterans’ Administration (VA) facilities, and list sterile processing differences between VA and other healthcare facilities

Even though the type of facility may vary, the science of cleaning, decontamination, inspection, packaging, sterilization and sterile product handling does not change

A healthcare facility that allows patients to have selected surgical and procedural services performed that do not require hospital admission

Cosmetic Facial Plastic and

Reconstructive Gastroenterology General OB/GYN Opthalomological Oral/Maxillofacial Orthopedic Podiatry Urology Cardiovascular/Vascular

ASCs came into being in the 1970s. Prior to that, all surgical procedures were performed in the hospital

ASCs must have at least 1 dedicated operating room

Physicians are involved in the ownership of the majority of ASCs

A voluntary process by which an organization measures the quality of its services and performance against nationally recognized standards

◦ Joint Commission

◦ Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)

◦ American Association of Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (AAAASF)

Fast-paced

Tight instrument turnover timelines

Cleaning/Decontamination

Instrument Assembly

Sterilization

Sterile Storage

Require:

◦ Cleaning and Decontamination

◦ Preparation and Packaging

◦ Sterilization

◦ Inventory Management and Storage

Clinical Contact Surfaces (infection control) ◦ - Surfaces that can be directly contaminated during patient

care; examples are: contamination from sprays, splatters, or direct contact with a dental professional’s gloved hand

Housekeeping Surfaces (infection control) ◦ - Surfaces such as floors, walls, and sinks that pose a risk of

disease transmission

Environmental Surfaces (infection control) ◦ - Surfaces or equipment that do not contact the patient

directly, but may become contaminated during patient acre; examples are: light and power unit switches and drawer knobs

Transport Cleaning/Decontamination Inspection Assembly Packaging Sterilization Sterilization Quality

Assurance Storage and Handling

Central Service Departments are called Supply, Processing, and Distribution (SPD) Departments

Has its own certification program and continuing education requirements

Follows directives that set guidelines for sterile processing

Clinics

Veterinary Hospitals

Third Party Reprocessing Facilities

Manufacturers