What two types of infections do Sterile Processing (SP) technicians play a significant role in preventing?
Sterile Processing (SP) technicians help prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
Beyond a negative medical outcome, what is the most severe potential consequence for a patient if SP work practices are poor?
Work practices can be the difference between a successful surgery and a negative outcome leading to infection or death
What is the first step in the process to make contaminated medical devices safe for handling and ready for biocidal processes?
The first step is cleaning contaminated medical devices to make them safe for handling
For what two specific purposes must instruments be inspected?
Instruments are inspected to ensure they are safe and functional
Aside from facilitating the sterilization method, what does packaging provide for an instrument?
a barrier to protect the items after sterilization
What must be properly selected and used for every medical device to ensure safety?
Technicians must select and properly use the sterilization or high-level disinfection (HLD) method required for each device
How must stored items be delivered to ensure the integrity of sterile packages is not compromised?
Items must be stored safely and delivered using methods that protect the integrity of the sterile packages
What two specific skills regarding infection prevention must an SP professional possess to protect patients and staff?
understand how to prevent cross-contamination and recognize hand hygiene
What does the acronym IFU stand for, and why is it critical for every medical device?
The Instructions for Use (IFU) provided by the manufacturer must be followed exactly; failure to do so can cause infection in both the patient and the healthcare worker
How do the sources define a Surgical Site Infection (SSI)?
An infection occurring after surgery in the specific part of the body where the procedure took place
What is the definition of the “chain of infection”?
A six-step process on how an infection spreads from one host to another
What is a biocidal process?
A process to kill or control the growth of living organisms
According to 2015 CDC data, what was the ratio of hospitalized patients who contracted a Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)?
In 2015, the CDC reported that approximately 1 out of every 31 hospitalized patients contracted an HAI
Of the approximately 687,000 patients with HAIs in 2015, how many died, and what was notable about many of those infections?
Out of 687,000 patients with HAIs, approximately 72,000 died, and many of these infections were considered preventable
How many major surgeries are performed globally each year, and what portion of those occur in the United States?
There are approximately 310 million major surgeries performed globally each year, with 40 to 50 million of those occurring in the United States
Why is the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics a growing concern for SP professionals?
Microorganisms are becoming resistant to antibiotics or are naturally difficult to control, making them easily transferable to other surfaces and people
Why has endoscope reprocessing received significant media attention since 2014?
Since 2014, these devices have gained media attention because improper processing has led to infections and deaths
In the 2014 Seattle Times report, why were more than 100 patients advised to be tested for HIV and Hepatitis B and C?
Over 100 patients were advised to test for HIV and hepatitis B and C because the equipment used in their colonoscopies had not been properly cleaned
How many deaths were linked to the duodenoscope incidents in a Colorado hospital in May 2016?
The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) scope, or duodenoscope, was linked to nine infections and three deaths
Does understanding how an item is used affect the way it is processed?
Yes, a way an item is used is a key factor in determining how it must be processed
What is the third link by which an infectious agent leaves the reservoir?
Portal of Exit
Portal of Exit associated with humans and animal reservoir include:
Examples:
1. Coughing and sneezing
2. Urine, vaginal secretions, or semen
3. Vomit or stool
4. Mucous or wound drainage
5. Blood transfusions or contact with blood
6. Through the placenta from mother to baby
- Respiratory tract
- Genitourinary tract
- gastrointestinal tract
- Skin/ mucous membrane
- Blood
- Transplacental
- Effectively using PPE
- Covering the nose and mouth when sneezing/ coughing
- Disposing facial tissues immediately after use
Performing hand hygiene - Disposing of trash
These are common ways SP technicians can block the
Portal of Exit
An organisms ability to invade the host and cause damage
Invasiveness
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Chapter 528
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assisting with minor surgery19
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chapter 623
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chapter 28
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chapter 952
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Chapter 9 Vocab11
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Chapter 14 High Temperature Sterilization15
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Abbrev/ Surgical Proced./ Meaning17
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low temp. sterilization19
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8 Basic Requirements11
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communication16
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Chapter 1 Vocab13
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Study Chapter 115
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Study Chapter 2: Suffix29
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Chapter 205
