SURG 120 - Sterile Processing Clinical 2

This Competency is in the Cognitive Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Identify types of patient care equipment.

b. Determine supplies needed in the distribution area (e.g. sleeves, pads, equipment covers, clean labels/stickers). 

c. Adhere to work area requirements (e.g. cleaning requirements, charging stations, plugs).

d. Evaluate different processes for record keeping and tracking equipment (e.g. rental, loaned).

e. Determine the facility traffic flow of patient equipment (e.g. clean to dirty).

f. Define systems used (e.g. manual, computer, RFID, hybrid).

2. Review sterile storage and inventory management.

This Competency is in the Cognitive Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Apply specific safety awareness related to sterile storage and inventory management.

b. Define the role of the sterile processing technician as it relates to inventory management.

c. Explain the cycle of consumable items.

d. Discuss the partnership between Sterile Processing and Material Management.

e. Identify different storage areas based on the type of supply.

3. Demonstrate the process for ordering and inventory replenishment of supplies.

This Competency is in the Cognitive Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Evaluate inventory replenishment and distribution systems (e.g. periodic automated replenishment, exchange cart system, requisition systems). 

b. Examine the ordering process (e.g. computerized vs manual). 

c. Investigate the needed product and quantity (e.g. catalog numbers, item number, descriptions).

d. Verify the unit of measure for various medical supplies (e.g. each, box, package, case).

e. Organize handling of inventory deficiencies (e.g. outages, substitutes, communication).

f. Verify a designated breakout area for receiving inventory and shipments (e.g. corrugated cardboard, external shipping containers).

g. Inspect deliveries for integrity (e.g. what and when to check).

h. Audit expiration and manufacturing dates (e.g. symbols, what and when to check).

4. Track medical supplies and equipment.

This Competency is in the Cognitive Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Evaluate the process to monitor and check high dollar items (e.g. ABC analysis).

b. Observe and check specialty carts (e.g. code carts, emergency carts, C-section).

c. Monitor critical items (e.g. special order, non-stock items, doctor specials, patient specific items).

d. Explore the tracking policy for vendor-owned items (e.g. loaner, consignment).

e. Evaluate the tracking process for basic equipment, supplies and instrumentation (e.g. manual, RFID, computerized). 

f. Distribution process to user departments (e.g. ER, OR, clinics, ICU).

g. Investigate how to handle manufacturer product recalls.

h. Determine common causes of waste and loss (e.g. damaged, expired and obsolete items). 

i. Discuss the role of the Sterile Processing Department in the efforts to reduce waste.

j. Identify prioritization for item allocation by departments. 

5. Practice safety during cleaning, decontamination and disinfection of surgical equipment.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Apply area specific safety standards to sterile processing tasks.   

b. Incorporate OSHA/Blood Borne Pathogens standards and precautions.

c. Categorize microbiology’s impact on sterile processing (e.g. cross contamination, chain of infection microbial transmission, how CS supports infection prevention).

d. Maintain the work environment in a safe, clean and orderly fashion.

e. Prepare the work area for the decontamination process.

f. Prepare quality tests to ensure proper equipment operations.

g. Outline chemical safety and handling (e.g. spill kit, interpreting the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use (IFU) and SDS, disposal). 

h. Utilize safe practice when transporting and receiving of soiled items into decontamination or soiled utility rooms (e.g. inspecting for and reporting inadequate point of use cleaning).

6. Prepare the Sterile Processing work area for decontamination.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Utilize correct cleaning agents or chemicals for the cleaning process.

b. Determine needed supplies for decontamination (e.g. brush, towels, location of restock).

c. Verify necessary equipment for each item (e.g. washer disinfector, ultrasonic, cart washer, leak tester).

d. Determine and prepare chemicals following the Manufacturer’s IFU (e.g. dilution, equipment).  

e. Verify and replenish chemicals necessary in each piece of equipment.

f. Test the functionality of light and magnification devices. 

g. Demonstrate how to clean a sink strainer/drains including frequency.

7. Practice quality testing of sterilization equipment.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Examine efficacy-testing process for washer/disinfector. 

b. Examine efficacy-testing process for ultrasonic cleaner.

c. Examine efficacy-testing process for Automated Endoscope Re-processor (AER).

d. Examine efficacy-testing process for cart washer. 

e. Determine frequency of quality equipment tests (e.g. washers, ultrasonic, AERs, cart washers). 

f. Document and interpret quality test results (e.g. quality assurance testing program).

8. Review maintenance and troubleshooting of sterilization equipment.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Interpret each equipment Manufacturer’s IFU (e.g. operator’s manual, locate).

b. Identify, respond and report malfunctions and/or alarms. 

c. Demonstrate how to clean equipment strainers/drains. 

d. Verify location and use of outlets (e.g. on/off, regular, emergency).

e. Evaluate functionality of a chemical feed line (e.g. identifying detergent dosage).

f. Explore how to clean and test spray arms. 

g. Explore how to check washer manifolds and baskets. 

9. Separate reusable vs. disposable items in the healthcare setting.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Categorize reusable and disposable items (e.g. laparoscopic tips, linens, drapes, third-party recycling vendors, sustainability). 

b. Utilize safe practice for disposing of sharps and non-reprocessed items (e.g. biohazards vs non-regulated trash, sharps container). 

c. Differentiate expendable supplies properly.

10. Prepare medical instrumentation for decontamination.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Identify manual and/or mechanical cleaning according to the Manufacturer’s IFU.

b. Demonstrate proper opening and positioning of instruments. 

c. Demonstrate disassembly of instruments and supplies.

d. Verify decontamination soak process (e.g. water temperature, dilution). 

e. Demonstrate how to use high-pressure water and air gun/hose (e.g. critical water).

f. Utilize visual inspection of bioburden removal (e.g. magnifying devices). 

g. Execute loading items into the washing/sterilization equipment.

h. Verify selection of an appropriate wash cycle. 

i. Explore methods for reducing the risk of Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS).

11. Utilize an appropriate disinfectant for the sterilization of instrumentation.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Assess the proper disinfectant family for each item (e.g. quats, halogens, aldehydes).

b. Identify three levels of Spaulding Classification (e.g. non-critical, semi-critical, critical).

c. Identify, select and use the appropriate chemicals (e.g. exposure times, rinsing).

d. Utilize documentation for chemical testing parameters (e.g. temperature, Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC)).

e. Determine corrective actions for failed quality tests (e.g. temperature, MEC).

12. Demonstrate High-Level Disinfection (HLD) processes.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Evaluate disinfection and how it differs from sterilization. 

b. Verify safety measures when using HLD (e.g. PPE, spill kit, ventilation).

c. Explore dilution requirements for each process (e.g. concentration, expiration, end of use date, labeling).

d. Utilize rinsing requirements (e.g. critical water). 

e. Demonstrate proper documentation (e.g. technician information, patient information, exposure time and solution temperature, lot control number). 

f. Exercise handling, care and storage of each item (e.g. drying, expiration date).

g. Utilize proper disposal methods for each disinfectant (e.g. neutralizer).

13. Apply area specific safety standards to the sterilization process.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Discuss area specific safety awareness (e.g. hot carts, wet floors, hot trays, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), traffic flow, hand-hygiene).

b. Validate equipment operation (e.g. high and low temperature sterilizers, incubators).

c. Review sterilization chemical safety and handling (e.g. interpreting the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use (IFU) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), disposal).

14. Prepare the work area for sterilization, including the evaluation of temperature and humidity.

This Competency is in the Psychomotor Learning Domain.

Learning Objectives:

a. Determine supplies needed for sterilization process. 

b. Demonstrate preferred method for cleaning different equipment (e.g. according to the Manufacturer’s IFU, drains, chamber). 

c. Evaluate all equipment for functionality (e.g. error codes, printer, incubators). 

d. Utilize standards for temperature and humidity.

e. Explore the frequency of recording & documenting of temperature & humidity. 

f. Execute corrective actions to take if standards are not within the parameters.