14. High Temperature Sterilization

As a result of successfully completing this chapter, students will be able to:

•       Discuss factors that impact the effectiveness of sterilization and the methods of heat transfer associated with high temperature sterilization.

•       Discuss the advantages of steam sterilization.

•       Explain the anatomy of a steam sterilizer and identify the function of each major component.

•       Sizes of steam sterilizers

•       Jacket

•       Door, Gasket, and Chamber Drain

•       Thermostatic Trap

•       Gauges and Controls

•       Provide basic information about the types of steam sterilizers.

•       Tabletop

•       Gravity Air Displacement

•       Dynamic Air Removal

•       Steam Flush and Pressure Pulse

•       Special Purpose Sterilizer (Flash)

•       Special Purpose Sterilizer (Instrument Washer Sterilizer)

Provide basic information about the phases in a steam sterilizer cycle:

•       Conditioning

•       Exposure

•       Exhaust

•       Drying

Describe the conditions necessary for an effective steam sterilization process:

•       Contact

•       Time

•       Temperature

•       Moisture

Explain basic work practices for steam sterilization:

•       Preparing devices and packs for steam sterilization

•       Loading a sterilizer

•       Unloading a sterilizer

•       Controlling wet packs

•       Cleaning and maintaining sterilizers

Explain the basics of dry heat sterilization:

•       When dry heat is appropriate.

•       Advantages and disadvantages of dry heat sterilization.

•       Types of hot-air convection sterilizers.

•       Dry heat sterilization procedures.

 Explain the need for quality control and review sterilization process   indicators that help assure quality control:

•       Need for quality control

•       Chemical indicators.

•       Sterilization load control information.

•       Physical and mechanical monitors.

•       Biological indicators.

•       Bowie-Dick tests

•       Validation and Verification processes

Review the basics of three special high temperature sterilization concerns:

•       D-values and sterilization effectiveness

•       Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)

•       Solutions