Decontamination

Question 1

1. Decon cycle stages

2. ‘At all’ stages

Answer 1

1. Clean, disinfect, inspect, pack, sterilise, transport, store, use, transport
2. Location, facilities, equipment, management, policies, procedures

Question 2

Define:

1. Decontamination
2. Policy
3. Procedure
4. Objective
5. Work instruction
6. Operator
7. User
8. Manager
9. Give 3 key laws relating to decon

Answer 2

1. Process of making re-usable medical devices safe for handling by operators and safe for use on patients
2. Overall statement of intent
3. Guidelines of major methods used to meet policy
4. Landmark event in pursuit of overall intent
5. Specific steps used to carry out procedures
6. Person with authority to operate equipment. Can carry out daily tests, make safe, etc.
7. Person responsible for day-to-day running of LDU. Can operate equipment and train operators
8. Person ultimately responsible for LDU operation
9. Health and safety at work act 1974
   Health and safety (medical devices) regulations 1996
   Medical devices directive 1993

Question 3

1. Stages of decon work flow
2. 3 key pieces of PPE
3. 4 components of sinner circle

Answer 3

1. Clean, disinfect, inspect, pack, sterilise
2. Full-face visor, marigold-type gloves, full length, disposable plastic gown (not apron)
3. Temperature, time, energy, chemicals

Question 4

Cleaning

1. Definition
2. 2 types of manual cleaning - define, give an example of what each is used to clean

Answer 4

1. Removal of contamination from item to extent necessary for its further processing and intended use
2. Immersion - clean under running water. Mirrors, probes (solid instruments)
   Non-immersion - wipe clean (according to manufacturers instructions). Lumened instruments, electrical equipment

Question 5

Ultrasonic cleaner

1. Purpose
2. When to Degas
3. Why to Degas

Answer 5

1. Pre-treatment to washer disinfector. For removal of gross/difficult to remove contamination (not for handpieces/lumened instruments)
2. After filling up with fresh/new water
3. To remove air/oxygen fro water, preventing cavitation inhibition. Ensures bubbles produced are of equal consistency/intensity, improving cleaning efficacy/removal of contamination

Question 6

Disinfection

1. Definition of disinfection
2. 3 washer disinfector daily checks
3. Definition of daily test cycle
4. WD cycle steps

Answer 6

1. Destruction of pathogenic, and other kinds, of micro-organisms by physical/chemical means
2. Clean filter, check/clean door and seal, check detergent level
3. First daily run with instruments. Automatic control test
4. Flush, wash, rinse, disinfect, dry

Question 7

Key features of inspection

Answer 7

Lit magnifier (task lighting, magnification)

Question 8

Sterilisation

1. Definition of sterilisation
2. 2 types of sterilisers, difference and what they can process
3. 4 types of demineralised water
4. Purpose of demineralised water
5. Optimum sterilisation conditions
6. 3 daily tests for sterilisers
7. Key component of daily test of type B steriliser

Answer 8

1. Process of making a medical device free from live, reproductive micro-organisms, so that the probability of viable micro-organisms following the process should be less than one in one million.
2. Type N - non-vacuum passive air removal. For solid/non-wrapped instruments.
   Type B - vacuum active air removal. For wrapped and lumened instruments.
3. RO, deionised, distilled, sterile
4. Prevent limescale build-up on instruments, which would provide a rough surface for micro-organisms to adhere to
5. 134-137C at 2-2.3bar for minimum 3mins
6. Wipe door seal and chamber, check door safety devices, drain and refill daily
7. Bowie Dick/Helix test, challenge device