FUNCTION:  Surveillance, Prevention, Control of Infection

 

TITLE:  Flash Sterilization of Surgical Instruments

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PURPOSE:

 

To state guidelines for flash sterilization of an instrument.

 

POLICY:

 

Flash sterilization of an instrument is done ONLY in emergency situations.

 

PROCEDURE:

 

1.   A steam indicator strip is placed in the flash pan with instrument to be

     flashed.

2.   Flash for 3 minutes at 270 F for unwrapped instruments and 10 minutes at

     270 F for mixture of unwrapped instruments, tubings and porous materials.

3.   Each flash sterilizer is used, proper documentation is required.

4.   The person placing the instruments into the sterilizer is responsible for

     documenting the following information on the clip board kept at each

     sterilizer:

 

     a.   Sterilizer number.

     b.   Item sterilized.

     c.   Doctor's name and / or patient label.

     d.   Time.

     e.   Date.

     f.   Person using sterilizer.

 

5.   Recording charts will be retained in work room.  Sterilizer logs are on

     file in Surgical Suite Office.