Sterilization
This method is the most common sterilization technique in healthcare.
What is steam sterilization?
This term refers to the visible and invisible debris on instruments before cleaning.
What is bioburden?
The suffix “-ectomy” means this.
What is surgical removal?
This test material is used to check the sharpness of scissors measuring 4.5 inches or shorter.
What is yellow test material?
This is the first and most essential step in the sterilization process.
What is cleaning?
This agency oversees workplace safety and health standards.
What is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?
This sterilization method is used for heat-sensitive items and involves toxic gas.
What is ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization?
This classification system helps determine the level of disinfection or sterilization needed for medical devices.
What is the Spaulding Classification System?
The suffix “-plasty” in a surgical term such as rhinoplasty or angioplasty means this.
What is surgical repair or reconstruction?
This tool may be used to inspect internal channels of instruments such as endoscopes.
What is a borescope?
This type of water is used for flushing, washing, and rinsing in the decontamination area.
What is utility water?
This organization develops and publishes technical standards such as ST79, which provides guidelines for steam sterilization and sterility assurance.
What is AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation)?
This process is used when instruments are needed urgently and cannot go through terminal sterilization.
What is Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS)?
This type of microorganism thrives in oxygen-rich environments.
What is aerobic bacteria?
The prefix “hemo-” or “hema-” refers to this substance in the body.
What is blood?
This type of instrument has teeth at the tip and is used to grasp tissue securely during surgical procedures.
What are tissue forceps?
This type of cleaner uses high-frequency sound waves to remove soil from hard-to-reach areas of instruments.
What is an ultrasonic cleaner?
This agency sets emission standards for ethylene oxide sterilizers.
What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
This sterilization method uses plasma and is known for low-temperature processing.
What is hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization?
This was created to protect healthcare workers from exposure to pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, and requires employers to maintain a written Exposure Control Plan.
What is OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
This surgical procedure involves removing the gallbladder.
What is cholecystectomy?
This test tool, often made of plastic or rubber, is used to check the alignment and function of rongeurs or bone cutters.
What is a dowel rod or plastic testing material?
In a three-sink setup, the first sink is for washing, the second is for rinsing, and the third is for this.
What is the final rinse with critical water?
This organization emphasizes staff competency and training in sterile processing departments.
What is The Joint Commission (TJC)?
This agency regulates emission standards for EO sterilization.
What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
This gel-like colony of microorganisms is difficult to penetrate with disinfectants.
What is biofilm?
This term refers to the visual examination of the stomach using a flexible endoscope.
What is gastroscopy?
This document provides detailed instructions for cleaning, inspecting, assembling, and sterilizing instruments.
What is the manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFU)?
This cleaning chemical breaks down organic material like blood and tissue and is often used in manual cleaning.
What is an enzymatic detergent?
This U.S. agency classifies medical devices into regulatory categories (Class I, II, and III) based on risk and required controls.
What is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?