Describe what is meant by event-related practices when determining whether an autoclave quizlet
Event-Related Sterility Maintenance Policy defines procedures intended to maintain the sterility of packages until they are used. This document focuses on event-related sterility maintenance of hospital-prepared packages containing sterile supplies wrapped in single-use or reusable materials. Since some supplies have expiration dates and degrade over time, this document covers only those
supplies for which the manufacturer or the distributor does not provide expiration dating in the form of labeling, instructions of use, or other statements. For years, the subject of expiration dating has generated considerable debate. Many hospitals have considered 30 days to be the standard time period for dating hospital wrapped sterile supplies, principally because of 1971 (1) and 1973
(2) shelf-life studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control. Those results indicated that items double-wrapped in muslin had a shelf life of three weeks, and that packs stored in dust covers were considered sterile for at least nine months. Recent studies suggest that current standards for sterility testing can be improved by the addition of
event-related testing, and that contamination of wrapped trays may occur within days, instead of weeks (3). New and improved packaging materials, along with greater understanding of the factors affecting sterility, have fueled the debate over expiration dating. Changes in JCAHO Accreditation Standards reflect the premise that contamination is "event-related" and not "time-related", and
recognize the hospital's expertise in maintaining and delivering sterile products. While the new standard provides new freedom, it also puts new responsibility on the hospital professional. The major difference in the new standard is that a specific date is no longer required. Hospitals must now establish written policies based on their unique internal practices. The impact of this can be substantial, representing savings in both reprocessing and labor costs. The timely and costly
practice of reprocessing is greatly reduced and staff is free to spend time in more productive job functions (i.e., pack preparation, not pack reprocessing). With the change in accreditation standards, hospitals are now able to develop procedures that more accurately reflect their sterile containment needs. JustificationRationale for changing to an Event-Related Sterility Maintenance Policy
Implementation
Factors Affecting SterilityBarrier Efficiency of Packaging Material—Visual Evidence of Compromise Packages
Storage conditions
Handling, and Transport
Opening the package Standard RequirementsOLD STANDARD REQUIRED: "Designation of the shelf-life for each hospital-wrapped and hospital-sterilized medical item, and to the maximum degree possible for each commercially prepared item by a specific expiration date that sets a limit on the number of days an item will be considered safe for use." (JCAHO Accreditation Manual, IC.5.1.4, 1989) NEW STANDARD REQUIRES: "Written policies for addressing the shelf-life of all stored sterile items." (JCAHO Accreditation Manual, Standard 5:5.1.2, 1990.) References
What does event related packaging mean quizlet?Event-related packaging. means that it is assumed the contents of a package will remain sterile indefinitely unless the packaging is compromised.
What is the best way to determine whether sterilization has occurred quizlet?Vials or strips, also known as spore tests, that contain harmless bacterial spores; used to determine whether sterilization has occurred.
What is the best way to determine whether sterilization has occurred?Biological indicators, or spore tests, are the most accepted means of monitoring sterilization because they assess the sterilization process directly by killing known highly resistant microorganisms (e.g., Geobacillus or Bacillus species).
What rules must be followed when wrapping the instruments for the autoclave?The wrapping material must be permeable to steam but impervious to contaminants. Acceptable wrapping materials for autoclaving should be made of a substance that allows the steam to penetrate while preventing pathogens from entering during storage and handling.
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