CS Cheat Sheet

CENTRAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: Decontamination Prep & Pack Sterile Storage Packaging Materials Temperature 60-65 degrees F 68-73 degrees F 75 degrees F or lower 64-72 Degrees F Minimum Air Exchanges Per Hour 10 4 Must be held @ for 2 hours prior to sterilization Relative Humidity 30%-60% Less than 75% 35%-70%  

Sterile Storage Requirements Distance from the highest item to the ceiling Distance from the lowest item to the floor 8-10 Inches

STERILIZATION Type Temperature and/or Time Material concerns Flash Sterilization(Point-of-Use) Single and no lumens- 270 Deg F @ 3 mins Complex, lumens, mixed materials – 270 Deg F @ 10 mins Items must be able to withstand high temperature – check manufacturer’s recommendations Steam Types- Table Top Gravity Air Dynamic Air Removal Steam-Flush-Pressure-Pulse Instrument-Washer-Sterilizer   Most Commonly Encountered Temperatures: 250 Degrees F 270 Degrees F – 275 Degrees F Rubber catheters, tubing, and drains are very difficult to clean and sterilize. Wood and cork cannot be sterilized. Oils and powders can’t be sterilized by steam—use dry heat sterilization.

Use metal carts or baskets Dry Heat Types: Gravity Convection Mechanical Convection Most Commonly Encountered Temperatures: 320 Degrees F for 2 hours   Low Temperature – Ethylene Oxide (EtO) 1-4 hours exposure 8-12 hours aeration Use metal carts or baskets Hydrogen Peroxide/Plasma 28-50 minutes, depending on cycle and load Cellulose-containing packaging materials, such as paper-plastic pouches, and disposable wrappers, and muslin wraps are not compatible Ozone 4 hours Tyvek packaging is recommended