Decontamination

Question 1

what is a user with regards to decontamination

Answer 1

the person designated by the executive manager to be responsible for the management of the process

Question 2

what is an operator with regards to decontamination

Answer 2

the person with the authority to operate decontamination equipment in processing of medical devices

Question 3

what is a competent person with regards to decontamination

Answer 3

a chartered engineer responsible for drawing up a written scheme of examination for the system

Question 4

what is an authorising engineer (decontamination) AE(D)

Answer 4

a person assigned to advise on decontamination procedures, WDs, sterilisers and associated sterilisation processes

Question 5

what is an authorised person (decontamination) AP(D)

Answer 5

has technical knowledge and appointed by the NHS in charge of practical implementation and operation of procedures relating to engineering aspects of decon equipment

Question 6

what is a competent person (decontamination) CP(D)

Answer 6

person designated by AP(D) to carry out maintenance, validation and periodic testing of decontamination equipment

Question 7

how long should decontamination records be kept

Answer 7

for the lifetime of the equipment plus 25 years afterwards

Question 8

why do devices have to be processed through a WD first

Answer 8

to remove soiling, allowing steam to penetrate the devices

Question 9

what are the stages of WD

Answer 9

prewash - removes difficult gross contamination
wash - mechanical and chemical processes loosen and break up contamination
rinse - removes detergent
thermal disinfection - temperature raised and held at pre-set disinfection temperature (90-95 degrees for 1 minute)
drying - purges the load and chamber with filtrated heated air to remove moisture

Question 10

what are the daily tests for the WD

Answer 10

remove and clean strainers and filters
check spray arms and nozzles freely rotate
check nozzles are not blocked
check detergent levels
check door seal
verify condition of load carrier
record disinfection temp of first cycle
ACT

Question 11

what are the weekly tests for WD

Answer 11

daily tests AND
protein residue test

Question 12

what is the automatic control test for WD

Answer 12

shows the operating cycle functions properly and the disinfection temperature/ time are within the original specification

Question 13

what are the quarterly tests for WD - carried out by CP(D)

Answer 13

weekly tests AND
check safe operation of doors and door interlocks
check mechanical alignment of all load carriers
automatic control test
cleaning efficacy test
chemical dosing
verification of calibration
thermometric tests

Question 14

what are the types of sterilisers

Answer 14

type N - air removal, non-vacuum no suitable for instruments with a lumen
type B - vacuum
type S - specific load types

Question 15

what are the sterilisation parameters for saturated steam in a 134 degrees cycle

Answer 15

134 minimum temperature
137 maximum temperature
minimum holding time 3 minutes

Question 16

what are daily tests of steam sterilisers

Answer 16

bowie and dick or helix test - checks steam penetration (type B and S only)
clean door seal with clean, damp non-linting cloth
check chamber and shelves for debris
fill reservoir with water

Question 17

what are weekly tests for steam sterilisers

Answer 17

daily tests AND
safety checks - door seal and interlocks
automatic control test
air leakage test

Question 17

instruments should be transported in a box that is:

Answer 17

tight lidded
leak proof
rigid
colour coordinated

Question 18

how should a WD be loaded

Answer 18

no overlapping instruments
hinge instruments open at hinge
assembles disassembled
do not overload machine

Question 19

what should you do before an Ultrasonic bath is used

Answer 19

run degas cycle

Question 20

what values are required for adequate sterilisation

Answer 20

134-137 degrees for minimum hold time 3 mins
atmospheric pressure 2.05 to 2.35 bar or absolute 3.05 to 3.35 bar

Question 21

what are the spaulding classifications

Answer 21

critical - devices entering sterile tissue and must be sterilised
semi-critical - devices only in contact with intact mucous membranes and no penetration - sterilised but high level disinfection also accepted
non-critical - devices in contact with skin only - cleaned/ disinfected

Question 22

what is the sinner cycle and what are the four aspects

Answer 22

factors that affect the cleaning cycle
time, temp, chemicals, energy

Question 23

why must records be kept in decon

Answer 23

for audit purposes
verify compliance
diagnostic tool for faults
medicolegal record if pt has complaint/ infection

Question 24

what is the chain of infection

Answer 24

infectious agent reservoir mode of transmission portal of entry susceptible host portal of exit

Question 25

what are the stages of decontamination cycle

Answer 25

acquisition cleaning disinfection inspection packaging sterilisation transport storage use transport

Question 26

if you find instruments on top of the steriliser how could you check they have already been processed

Answer 26

should be positioned not overlapping if they have been through steriliser check for recent print outs check for colour change of packaged instruments if unsure start from BEGINNING (AWD) and then sterilise