Chapter 7: Decontamination

Transport carts

- if the same carts are used to transport soiled items to the decontamination area and return clean items to user units (they must be DECONTAMINATED between uses).

Covered containers/carts

- the proper way of transporting soiled items.

Gross soil

- tissue, body fat, blood, and other body substances.

Point-of-Use

- where decontamination begins.

Chapter 7 Conclusion

1.) point-of-use instrument preparation requires a partnership between CS and USER departments. 2.) good work practices can protect patients, visitors, and healthcare workers.

Goals of soiled item transport:

1.) prepare contaminated items so they will not damage after/before usage. 2.) without cross-contaminating the environment between point-of-use & the decontamination area. 3.) assure that all persons who made contact w/ contaminated items remain safe.

CS Decontamination area

- Reusable Equipment, Instrument/Utensils safely transported from patient/ treatment areas.

Hallway mirrors

- can help reduce "blind spots" during the transport of contaminated carts.

Education

- everyone who has contact with contaminated items must understand the dangers associated with the transport of biohazard items.

Reasons for point-of-use prep:

- helps prolong instrument life. - if soil is allowed to dry on instruments it is much more difficult to remove.

Sources of Contaminated Items:

1.) SURGERY (largest volume) 2.) Labor/Delivery 3.) Emergency Services 4.) Cardiac Catherization Lab 5.) Endoscopy 6.) any patient/ treatment area

Transport safety

1.) consider all used items as CONTAMINATED. 2.) wear appropriate PPE upon handling's contaminated items. 3.) maintain control of transport at all times and be careful near doors, elevators, and hallway intersections where accidents may occur.

Methods of Transport

1.) covered transport carts 2.) lifts, elevators, or dumbwaiters w/c is for soiled items used only. 3.) HAND delivery by employees of the user dept.

Point-of-Use Guidelines

1.) remove gross soil. Wear PPE 2.) follow manufacturer's instructions for point of use cleaning 3.) keep soiled instruments MOIST. 4.) remove disposable components & dispose of properly. 5.) put sharps in sharp containers, etc. 6.) separate reusable linen & place in an appropriate container 7.) empty fluids from reusable containers or remove disposable containers & dispose off according to policy. 8.) separate reusable sharps from other instruments. 9.) KEEP ITEMS TOGETHER.. 10.) notify CS if items need repair, TAG them so they can be removed from the system for refurbishing or repair.

User department

1.) should have dedicated holding areas to hold items until picked up by CS staff. 2.) the areas should be marked with BIOHAZARD Sign.

The __________________ department is the major source of soiled items received by the Sterile Processing Department

Correct Answer: surgery

Containers dedicated to the transport of small quantities of soiled instruments should be clearly marked with a _________________ label

Correct Answer: biohazard

Soiled instruments should be transported in a ________________________ cart

Correct Answer: closed

Containers and carts used to transport contaminated items should NOT be used to transport clean items unless they have been thouroughly_____________________________ between uses

Correct Answer: decontaminated

Tissue, body fat, blood and other bodily substances are examples of ____________________________

Correct Answer: gross soil

Disposable sharp items should be removed at the point-of-use and placed in a __________________________ container labeled ___________________________

Correct Answer: hard sided biohazard

When instruments are prepared for transport to the decontamination area it is important to keep them __________________

Correct Answer: moist

Disposable items and linens should be removed at the _____________________

Correct Answer: point-of-use

Reusable sharps should be _________________________ from other instruments and placed in a separate container so they can be ________________________ easily

Correct Answer: separated identified

Point-of-use preparation of soiled items begins at the __________________________ process

orrect Answer: decontamination