Manufacturer Validation of Cleaning Processes
How surgical devices are cleaned and decontaminated determines the efficacy of the sterilization process. For this to be effective, each item must be cleaned according to its instructions for use …
Fighting Bacteria, Fungi and Viruses
Bacteria, fungi and viruses are the three primary types of microorganisms that Sterile Processing departments (SPDs) battle every day. But what exactly are these infectious agents, how do they spread, …
Process THIS! Episode 143: Breaking Down Biofilm
Biofilm is “comprised of living cells and a structure to protect them . . . that has potentially infectious material within it.” The structure creates a physical barrier between the …
Process This! Episode 134: Clarifying Water Treatment Methods
The quality of our water varies dramatically—by location, season and source—and the presence of impurities can have a significant impact on all aspects of instrument processing. For the safety of …
Process This! Episode 131: Consequences of Difficult-to-Clean Instruments
All surgical instruments take effort to render clean and sterile, but some instruments by their design are more difficult to clean than others. Narrow channels, long lumens and tight tolerances …
Process This! Episode 86: The Science Behind Cleaning in Sterile Processing
In episode 86, host Jon Wood speaks with Case Medical Clinical Manager Dewey Barker about the important science behind cleaning in Sterile Processing. Barker explores soil, bioburden and invisible microbial …