Sterile Technique

Bell Work Define Sterile Technique Sterile Field What is a surgical tech? What is a circulating RN?

Sterile Technique TABLE OF CONTENTS Lessons 1. Sterile Technique Go 2. Sterile Gloves Go 3. Autoclave Go TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Lesson 1– Sterile Technique Sterile technique, also called surgical asepsis, is maintaining an area that is free from all microorganisms. Sterile technique must be practiced for all invasive procedures to protect patients from infection. To maintain a sterile area, only sterile items may touch other sterile items. Sterile Technique Sterile technique, also called surgical asepsis, is maintaining an area that is free from all microorganisms. Sterile technique must be practiced for all invasive procedures to protect patients from infection. To maintain a sterile area, only sterile items may touch other sterile items. These techniques take skill and careful planning.

Lesson 1– Sterile Fields Sterile fields are areas that are set up for procedures and are free from microorganisms. A sterile field is usually a tray covered with a small sterile towel. The tray contains equipment and supplies for a specific procedure. Sterile Fields Sterile fields are areas that are set up for procedures and are free from microorganisms. A sterile field is usually a tray that is covered with a small sterile towel. The tray contains equipment and supplies for a specific procedure, such as changing a dressing or cleaning a wound. All of the items in the sterile field must be sterile.

Lesson 1– Working with Sterile Fields Create sterile field in a clean, uncluttered area Never reach across a sterile field Keep your eyes on a sterile field at all times Keep the sterile field dry Create the sterile field again if you suspect that it has become contaminated Working with Sterile Fields Health care workers must follow specific rules when setting up a sterile field. A sterile field must not be created in a cluttered area. Sterile items are likely to become contaminated in a messy environment. If a sterile item touches any part of a health care worker’s skin or clothing, the item is considered contaminated and cannot be used. Additionally, any area below the waist is considered contaminated. Therefore, health care workers must hold sterile items above the waist and away from the body. When working with sterile fields, health care workers must never reach across the sterile area. Microorganisms could drop from the clothing onto the field and cause contamination. Always reach to the sides of a sterile field. After preparing a sterile field, health care workers must keep their eyes on it at all times. If a sterile field is left alone even for a moment, there is no way of knowing if the field has remained sterile or if it has become contaminated. Sterile fields must also be kept dry because pathogens travel quickly through wet areas. If any item in a sterile field becomes wet, it must be considered contaminated and cannot be used. If any item in a sterile field becomes contaminated or if a health care worker suspects that an item may be contaminated, the entire field must be created again. It is better to take the time to do a procedure correctly than to put a patient’s health in danger.

Lesson 1– Sterile Packages Most of the items used to create a sterile field are pre-packaged in sterile wraps. A sterile package must be opened with care. The outside of the package is considered contaminated, but the inside is sterile. Only sterile items, such as a sterile transfer forceps, may touch the inside of a sterile package. Sterile Packages Most of the items used to create a sterile field are pre-packaged in sterile wraps. Some of these items are packaged individually, such as gauze, bandages, and small towels. Other sterile items are packaged together for specific procedures, like changing a dressing. A sterile package must be opened with care. The outside of the package is considered contaminated, but the inside is sterile. A sterile package should be opened with ungloved hands, but health care workers must be sure to touch only the outside of the package. Only sterile items, such as a sterile transfer forceps, may touch the inside of a sterile package.

Lesson 2– Sterile Glove Sterile gloves are a key tool in maintaining a sterile field. Sterile gloves should be worn whenever health care workers treat an open wound, perform an invasive procedure, or apply a dressing. Sterile Gloves Sterile gloves are a key tool in maintaining a sterile field. Unlike non-sterile gloves, sterile gloves are packaged in individual sterile wraps. The sterile wrap keeps the gloves from becoming contaminated with microorganisms. Sterile gloves should be worn whenever health care workers treat an open wound, perform an invasive procedure, or apply a dressing. On the other hand, non-sterile gloves should be worn whenever health care workers remove a dressing or perform other non-invasive procedures.

Lesson 3– Autoclave Sterilization kills all microorganims Autoclave uses steam to sterilize Sterilization is the highest level of asepsis, killing all microorganisms, including viruses and spores. Sterilization is used on instruments and equipment, not on people. The most common piece of equipment used for sterilization in a medical office is an autoclave, which uses pressurized steam to kill microorganisms. The boiling point of water increases under pressure. In an autoclave, under 15 pounds of pressure per square inch, the boiling point of water increases from 212°F (100°C) to 250°F (121°C). At this temperature, items can be sterilized in 15 to 30 minutes.

Lesson 3– Wrapping Items Wrapping items maintains sterility Wrapping material: Muslin Paper Bags Items must be wrapped before autoclaving to maintain their sterility afterward. More specifically, after autoclaving, the outer wrapper of a package is considered contaminated while the item inside remains sterile. Items must be wrapped firmly so as to prevent movement but not so tightly as to prevent steam from circulating around them. Items may be wrapped in the materials below.   Muslin is a cloth wrap. It has the benefit of being economical. On the other hand, the content of a package cannot be viewed, and the muslin must be laundered and inspected for tears and deterioration. Autoclave paper is disposable. Like muslin, though, the content of a package cannot be viewed. Autoclave bags are easy to use because items do not have to be wrapped. Autoclave bags are also disposable. In addition, some bags are made of plastic, so the content of a package is visible. Autoclave bags, however, are expensive. Items may be double-wrapped. In other words, they are wrapped and then they are wrapped again, creating a package inside a package. This results in additional supplies and labor, but it provides more protection. In addition, the items used for a specific surgery may be wrapped together.

Lesson 3– Sterility Indicators Sterility indicators change based on temperature and time exposed Sterility indicators are used to ensure that items have been sterilized properly. They are chemically-treated strips that change appearance when exposed to the high temperature of an autoclave for a specific amount of time. Sterility indicators are placed in the center of a wrapped package.

Lesson 3– Autoclave Tape Seal wrapped items before autoclaving Stripes indicate item has been autoclaved Autoclave tape is used to seal wrapped items before autoclaving. It has chemically-treated stripes that change color when exposed to a high temperature. It is important to note that a change in color does not ensure that an item is sterile, only that it has been inside a heated autoclave.

Lesson 3– Labeling Items Include: Name of item Sterilization date Initials Items wrapped for autoclaving must be labeled properly. This includes the name of the item in the package, the date of sterilization, and the initials of the person who performed the sterilization. Labeling should be done on autoclave tape. Autoclave bags usually have a specific place for labeling. Labels should be written with a permanent marker, and care must be taken to not puncture the package. Sterilized items remain sterile for 30 days.

Lesson 3– Loading Items Allow space: Place items on side Between items To the side of autoclave To the top of autoclave Place items on side Items must be loaded properly in an autoclave so that steam can circulate and penetrate them. There must be space between the items as well as between the items and the sides and top of the autoclave. In addition, items should be placed on their sides. This is especially important for jars and bowls.

Lesson 3– Cleaning Autoclave Daily cleaning Heavier cleaning: Drain water Run cycle using cleaning solution Run cycle using distilled water Fill with distilled water Autoclaves must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions. Light cleaning should be done daily. The inside and outside of an autoclave should be washed with cloth and mild detergent.   Heavier cleaning should be done weekly or monthly, depending on how often the autoclave is used. The autoclave should be drained of water, filled with a cleaning solution, run through a cycle, drained of the solution, filled with distilled water, run through another cycle, drained of the rinse water, and filled with distilled water again.

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