Transcript Environmental considerations for Event Related Sterility

Easi-Sterilise
Standard Operating Procedures
&
Workplace Skills Assessments
“Getting it right, every step of the way”
Section 4
Stock management
4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods
 Only those sites that can ensure
environmental control (temperature and
humidity) and meet sterile stock storage
requirements of AS/NZS 4815 can move to
event related sterility. If these storage
requirements can not be met the unused
items must be reprocessed after 3 months
4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods
Environmental considerations for Event Related Sterility
 Temperatures in this area are in the range 18◦C - 22◦C
with a relative humidity ranging from 35% - 68%
 Secure from public access
 Limited staff thoroughfare/working in this area
 Sterile goods shall always be segregated from nonsterile goods
 Protected from direct sunlight
4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods
Environmental considerations for Event Related Sterility
 For open shelving store items 250mm above floor level
& at least 400mm from ceiling fixtures
 Surfaces such as walls, floors, ceilings and shelving
shall be non-porous, smooth and easily cleaned
 Air-conditioning & ventilation conditions should be in
accordance with AS1668.2
 New overhead lighting is fitted flush to the ceiling to
minimise dust entrapment
4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods
 Sterile stock produced by the health care facility or
commercially supplied is stored in an environment that
maintains the integrity of the sterile stock
 Sterile items from commercially or external suppliers are
to be removed from the store pack prior to being
brought into the clean area
 Cleaned in accordance with the facilities cleaning
guidelines.
 Do not use cardboard boxes
 Inventory control
4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods
 The environment shall be
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Dedicated storage areas
Store in a clean, dry, dust free environment
Insects and vermin free
Protected from direct sunlight
250mm above floor level & at least 400mm from
ceiling fixtures
4.2 Stock Rotation
 The purpose of stock rotation is to use sterile stock
according to the date of manufacture/sterilisation
 Rotate stock so the “oldest manufactured date” stored
items will be used first
 Take from e.g left & replace to the right or front to back
 Handle only when necessary
 Do not overstock – damage & compromise
Time-Related Sterility
 Based upon an arbitrary date allocated to sterilised
packs/pouches etc by which they should undergo reprocessing and sterilisation if they have not been
used
 If storage & handling conditions are not ideal, or if
the packages are frequently handled, items may
need to be reprocessed more frequently
Event-Related Sterility
 This process is a method of determining if an item is
still sterile by assessing whether it has undergone any
events, which may have compromised its sterility,
such as
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Incorrect cleaning in storage areas
Moisture and condensation
Exposure to harsh as well as external climatic conditions
Dust, Vermin and insects
torn/soiled wrapping or poor storage
Maintain sterile stock
Do Not
 Handle without washing and drying hands
 Store in a manner that could damage the
wrapping
 Bundle using rubber bands or similar
 Place on or near potentially wet surfaces
 Exposed to aerosolising procedures – only take to
chairside what is required for the session.
Dental Instruments
 Sterile at point-of-use
 must be stored to maintain
sterile conditions
 must be tracked when used
Extraction instruments
4.3 Delivery of Sterile Stock
To facilitate safe and secure transportation of sterile stock to user
areas.
 Always check items for pack integrity including labelling
 Dedicated trolleys covered and closed with a solid bottom shelf
 When transporting sterile stock from area to area trolleys must
be enclosed or be covered with a clean dust cover.
 Dedicated transport containers shall have lids that can be
secured and be able to withstand cleaning
 If a trolley or container transports both sterile and clean items,
the clean items are to be segregated from the sterile items