The Prep & Pack Zone
The Preparation and Packaging area should be physically separated from this "dirty" area.
What is the Decontamination Area?
All instruments with hinges or box locks must be placed in this position during assembly.
What is the open (or unlocked) position?
This part of the container lid must be inspected for nicks, cracks, or debris to ensure a proper seal.
What is the gasket?
This is the common name for the diagonal folding method used for small trays.
What is the Envelope Fold?
This is the maximum weight allowed for a container or instrument tray.
What is 25 lbs?
This is the required temperature range for the Prep and Pack room.
What is 68°F to 73°F?
These devices are used to keep hinged instruments open and organized within a tray.
What are stringers?
These "locks" are used to show that a container has not been opened since it was sterilized.
What are tamper-evident seals?
This is the only type of tape that should be used to close a wrapped package.
What is indicator tape (or sterilization tape)?
If an instrument is missing from a tray, this must be attached to the outside to alert the OR.
What is a "Missing Item" tag?
Technicians must wear these long-sleeved garments to contain "skin squames" (shedding).
What are scrub tops or warm-up jackets?
This type of internal indicator must be placed in every tray or container.
What is a Chemical Indicator (CI)?
Rigid containers can be made of plastic, anodized aluminum, or this material.
What is stainless steel?
These dual-material pouches allow you to see the instrument inside.
What are paper-plastic (peel) pouches?
This process involves numbering similar trays (e.g., Major #1, Major #2) to track errors.
What is tray identification or tracking?
This is the required humidity range to prevent packaging materials from becoming too dry or too damp.
What is 35% to 60%?
To prevent damage, these heavier instruments should always be placed here in the basket.
What is the bottom?
This must be checked to ensure it is secure and the correct size for the container.
What is the filter (or filter manifold)?
This term describes the "wicking" of moisture and bacteria through a wet packaging material.
What is strike-through?
These are the three things a package label must typically include.
What are the tray name, initials of the tech, and the date (or load number)?
If physical separation from Decon isn't possible, this must happen before clean assembly can begin.
What is thorough cleaning and decontamination of the area?
When assembling basin sets, this must be placed between nested basins to allow for air removal and drainage.
What is a non-linting absorbent material (like a towel)?
To prevent "superheating," containers should be allowed to reach this temperature before being opened.
What is room temperature?
These "single-use" materials are usually made of plastic resins and are bonded together to form a barrier.
What are non-woven materials?
This is the primary goal of any packaging system—to keep an item sterile until this moment.
What is the point of use?