Perioperative Equipment and Instruments for Registered Nurses

Module 1: Decontamination, Packaging, and Sterilization

🎯 Learning Objectives 
  1. Define the term decontamination. 
  2. Differentiate between sole use and reusable instruments and equipment. 
  3. Explain the necessity of keeping reusable instruments clean at the point of use. 
  4. Discuss basic procedures for instrument decontamination and protective measures for employees handling contaminated equipment. 
  5. Discuss the principles of event-related sterility. 
  6. Use the Spaulding classification to determine the required level of instrument/equipment processing. 
  7. Describe available options for sterilization packaging and containers. 
  8. Explain the appropriate use for each type of sterilization packaging for steam and heat-sensitive products. 
  9. Clarify the importance of using sterilization monitoring devices when packaging for sterilization. 
  10. Define the term “sterilization” as it applies to medical device reprocessing. 
  11. Explain steam sterilization, low-temperature, and liquid chemical sterilization. 
  12. Describe situations when it is appropriate to use immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS). 
  13. Explain the basic principles of handling, transporting, and storing sterile instruments. 
đź“– Required Readings 

Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery  

16th Ed. p. 70-84 (start at Practices to prevent infection); p. 60-61 (start at Prions: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease)
17th Ed. p. 74-86 (start at Implementing sterilization and disinfection practices to prevent infection); p. 63-64 (start at Prions)


ORNAC standards 2021
Immediate use steam sterilization 2.32 – 2.32.12 pp 188 – 190

ORNAC Standards 2023
Instrument Care, handling and storage 2.28 -2.38 (2-71)
Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery

Other resources  

Friedericy, H. van Egmond, C.W., Vogtlander, J.G., van der Eijk, A.C., & Jansen, F.W. (2022). Reducing the environmental impact of sterilization packaging for surgical instruments in the operating room: A comparative life cycle assessment of disposable versus reusable systems. Sustainability, 14(1),430;   

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010430

PIDAC. (2013). Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Equipment/Devices in All Health Care Settings, 3rd edition. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/B/2013/bp-cleaning-disinfection-sterilization-hcs.pdf  

Read these specific sections from the Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Equipment/Devices in all Health Care Settings:  

  • Disassembly, Inspection and Cleaning of Reusable Medical Equipment/Devices: pp. 35 – 38  
  • Sterilization Processes: pp.43 – 50  
  • Reprocessing Endoscopy Equipment/Devices: pp. 50 – 55  
  • Storage and Use of Reprocessed Medical Equipment/Devices: pp. 59 – 60.   
  • Appendix B: Reprocessing Decision Chart: pp. 78-80  
Introduction

This module is divided into three sections: 

  1. Decontamination 
  2. Packaging 
  3. Sterilization 
Begin Module