1. CS Cheat Sheet

2. 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 for 2 hours prior to sterilization
Relative Humidity
30%-60%
Less than 75%
35%-70%

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

4. STERILIZATION Type Temperature and/or Time Material concerns
Flash Sterilization(Point-of-Use)
Single and no lumens- 270 Deg 3 mins
Complex, lumens, mixed materials – 270 Deg 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.

5. 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