Role of Cleaning and Sterilization in Infection Prevention

Course Code: 3895 / classroom

2 contact hours

Perioperative Nurses

Sterile Processing Personnel

The sterile processing of instruments, devices, and items is a significant part of infection control in healthcare practice. This activity will explore the importance of instrument processing and its impact on patient outcomes, especially in terms of infection prevention. The proper steps and key clinical considerations for instrument cleaning and decontamination will be reviewed. The differences between sterilization and high-level disinfection will be discussed. Different methods of sterilization will be defined and the significance of sterilization monitoring as it impacts patient outcomes will be shared. Special processing considerations for Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, robotic surgical equipment, and loaner equipment will also be addressed.