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UNWRAPPED
INSTRUMENT STERILIZATION
An
unwrapped cycle (sometimes called
flash sterilization) is a method for sterilizing unwrapped
patient-care items for immediate use. The time required for
unwrapped sterilization cycles depends on the type of sterilizer and
the type of item (i.e., porous or nonporous) to be sterilized. The
unwrapped cycle in tabletop sterilizers is preprogrammed by the
manufacturer to a specific time and temperature setting and can
include a drying phase at the end to produce a dry instrument with
much of the heat dissipated. If the drying phase requirements are
unclear, the operation manual or manufacturer of the sterilizer
should be consulted. If the unwrapped sterilization cycle in a
steam sterilizer does not include a drying phase, or has only a
minimal drying phase, items retrieved from the sterilizer will be
hot and wet, making aseptic transport to the point of use more
difficult. For dry-heat and chemical-vapor sterilizers, a drying
phase is not required.
Unwrapped sterilization should be used only under certain
conditions:
1.
Thorough
cleaning and drying of
instruments precedes the unwrapped sterilization cycle
2.
Mechanical
monitors
are checked and
chemical indicators
used for each cycle
3.
care is taken to avoid thermal injury to staff or patients
4.
Items are transported aseptically to the point of use to maintain
sterility. Because all implantable devices should be quarantined
after sterilization until the results of
biological monitoring are
known, unwrapped or flash sterilization of implantable items is not
recommended.
Critical instruments sterilized unwrapped should be transferred
immediately by using aseptic technique, from the sterilizer to the
actual point of use. Critical instruments should not be stored
unwrapped. Semi-critical instruments that are sterilized unwrapped
on a tray or in a container system should be used immediately or
within a short time. When sterile items are open to the air, they
will eventually become contaminated. Storage, even temporary, of
unwrapped semi-critical instruments is discouraged because it
permits exposure to dust, airborne organisms, and other unnecessary
contamination before use on a patient. A carefully written protocol
for minimizing the risk of contaminating unwrapped instruments
should be prepared and followed. See the complete recommendations on
sterilizer and disinfection at
www.cdc.gov
“Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare
Facilities, 2008”.
ATS, Inc. also stocks sterility assurance products – see
Supplies. |
